• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources has issued an advisory which discourages the public to refrain from fishing and gathering aquatic organisms such as, but not limited to fish, crustaceans and seaweeds, in areas affected by the wastewater spill in Manjuyod and Bais City, Negros Oriental.
Bais City Mayor Luigi Marcel Goñi has ordered the management of the Universal Robina Corporation-Sugar and Renewables (URC-SURE) distillery on Tuesday to immediately cease operations, to prevent further damage to eco-marine life within the Tañon Strait in Negros Oriental, following the incident involving the leakage of one of its containment lagoons that caused the discoloration of the seawater in Bais City.
The Manjuyod White Sandbar, nicknamed as the “Maldives of the Philippines,” was also temporarily closed due to the fishkill and water discoloration and contamination.
In an advisory, Mario Ruinata, Region 7 BFAR regional director, raised concerns on possible health risks from eating contaminated seafood from the territorial waters of the two affected local government units.
Collecting dead fish and other aquatic organisms from the affected areas for consumption is not recommended, as they may contain pathogens, chemicals and pollutants that pose risks to human health, Ruinata said.
The water discoloration was blamed on the discharge of wastewater effluent from a collapsed lagoon dike of the URC-SURE Bais Distillery, affecting the coastal waters and marine environment of Manjuyod town and Bais City.
In a statement, Negros Oriental Governor Manuel “Chaco” Sagarbarria expressed his grave concern over the October 24 ethanol spill, which affects sectors dependent on the Tanon Strait for livelihood and sustenance.
Sagarbarria disclosed that the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Division and the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office are now closely coordinating with the affected local government units, Philippine Coast Guard, Department of Environment and Natural Resources for the containment, clean up and rehabilitation operations to be carried out by URC, ensuring compliance with the national environmental regulations.
In a statement, the URC said multi-sectoral efforts are underway to contain the spillage of wastewater from a breach in their lagoon wall “due to earthquake-induced cracks, exacerbated by unexpected continuous heavy rains in the past few days.”*
