BACOLOD City – Molasses was spilled from a sugar central in Binalbagan, Negros Occidental, affecting four barangays located along the Binalbagan River over the weekend.
Forester Lucia Salazar, Supervising Environment Specialist of the Kabankalan City Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO), said the affected barangays were Canmoros, Marina, Progreso, and San Juan.
Based on the joint investigation carried out by Salazar’s office, the Binalbagan local government, and the Philippine Coast Guard, the Binalbagan Isabela Sugar Company’s (Biscom) settling pond for molasses exploded due to extreme heat index that reached 43 degrees Celsius, causing the spill.
Of the pond’s 4,980 tons of molasses, around 2,400 tons spilled.
As of Monday, Salazar said that Barangay Canmoros reported fish kills.
“Molasses is an agricultural product but when the volume of spillage is too much it will become hazardous to the environment,” she explained.
For his part, Mayor Alejandro Mirasol said the local government through its Municipal Environment Office and Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office acted swiftly and efficiently following the incident.
“We immediately coordinated with Biscom management to address the situation and mitigate any potential impacts. Additionally, we have engaged with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), CENRO-Kabankalan, the Marine Environmental Protection Office (MARICOM), and the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO), with the presence of affected and concerned barangay representatives,” he added.
The local chief executive further said that containment measures have already been implemented to limit the spread of the molasses, adding that the Biscom has acquired an odor-neutralizing misting system to reduce the smell coming from the spilled molasses.
“Our teams, in collaboration with Biscom and relevant environmental agencies, actively work on cleanup and recovery efforts to restore the affected area immediately,” Mayor Mirasol said.
He further assured the community that they are closely monitoring the situation and will provide updates as necessary.
“The health and safety of our residents and the preservation of our natural resources remain our top priorities,” he said.
As of this writing, Salazar said only a minimal of molasses spill was left following the swift containment efforts.
She added that they are still awaiting results of tests on water samples from the river./PN
