• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Task Force Bantay Molasses Spill was organized by Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez to study, monitor, and recommend corrective measures to be implemented by the city government, in connection with the spillage of molasses from a tank of the Victorias Milling Company into the Malihaw River, which is blamed for the strong foul odor that affected thousands of its residents.
The task force has been tasked to conduct regular assessments to update the public on the neutralization of PH levels of the VMC waste water treatment pond, safeguard the environment, and protect the health and safety off the public.
It will also closely monitor the commitment of VMC to the city government of Victorias on water and air pollution, brought about by the recent molasses spillage incident.
Benitez also said that the city government, in tandem with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and its Environment Management Bureau, will also study the possible legal complaints to be filed against VMC, as a result of the incident.
During the inquiry initiated on Wednesday by the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Victorias, it was found out that about three metric tons, which Councilor Dino Acuña, chairperson of the Committee on Natural Resources and Environment Protection said is equivalent to 1.8 million liters of molasses, spilled into the Malihaw River, as admitted by VMC representatives.
Benitez said the treatment process of wastewater was disrupted when the spilled molasses was diverted into VMC ponds to avoid it from flowing into the river, resulting in the foul odor.
VMC officials, who presented their plan of action to address the molasses spillage and foul odor, disclosed during the SP inquiry that it may take a month and a week for the stench to be completely addressed, as the company trying its best to resolve the issue.
Benitez said he informed that VMC will no longer use the tank where spilled molasses originated.
He stressed that they will monitor closely the effort of VMC to resolve the incident.
A total of 11 barangays in Victorias City, majority of which located in the poblacion, were affected by the foul odor from VMC wastewater facilities that are now filled with spilled molasses.*
