• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Universal Robina Corporation (URC) is aiming to complete the repair of its breached lagoon wall by November 14.
Aside from the repair of the damaged dike caused by earthquake and torrential rains, URC Bais Distillery, in a statement said they are also focused on helping the families affected by the release of organic molasses-based wastewater due to accidental break in the wall of the rented lagoon.
Some 5,000 fisherfolk families have been affected by the pollution in Bais Bay, including those that have fish pens, fish cages, seaweed farmers, and others dependent on the sea for their livelihood.
The management of the distillery plant further said that the result of recent seawater quality monitoring, which was conducted in collaboration with the Philippine Coast Guard, Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Tanon Strait Protected Seascape (DENR-TSPS), and Silliman University, shows an improvement in dissolved oxygen, pH, and water color in the affected areas.
Marine life has also been observed in the previously discolored areas, it added.
URC also pointed out that the recent typhoon did not affect the integrity of the main dike, nor escalate the contamination of the seawater from the collapsed lagoon, though it did cause some delay in the completion of the repairs.
The additional structure, URC added, will withstand unusually strong and relentless rains, tide action, and earthquakes.
On October 26, part of the ethanol facility’s containment lagoon gave way, spilling a large amount of molasses-rich wastewater into the sea near Bais City and Manjuyod, an incident which URC blamed on recent earthquakes and continuous heavy rainfall.
The incident caused the discoloration of the seawater, resulted in fish kill, and the displacement of some 5,000 businesses and families.
URC has initially given P5,000 cash assistance to each of the families affected by the wastewater spill.
The company has reassured that it is fully cooperating with authorities and is ready to take full accountability for the incident.
URC added that it will continue collaborating with DENR and other experts to study all options for the rehabilitation of the marine area.
An investigation, spearheaded by the DENR, is currently underway to assess the scale of the spill and identify measures to avoid a recurrence of the incident.
Our assistance and support for the affected families and communities remain steadfast until the situation returns to normal, URC further said.* with PNA reports
