• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
A fact finding committee has been organized to probe the molasses spillage incident of a sugar milling company at the Malihaw River in Victorias City, Negros Occidental, where a foul odor affected more than 200 families, disclosed city Mayor Javier Miguel “Javi” Benitez.
Benitez disclosed that the molasses spillage took place on May 5, after a 10,000 metric ton capacity molasses tank of the Victorias Milling Company exploded and its contents spilled into the Malihaw River.
The foul odor, which has spread to different barangays of Victorias, becomes worse during night time, according to complaining residents, who have been enduring it for more than two weeks.
Benitez reported that the foul odor has affected residents of Brgys. 6A, 9, and 13, all in Victorias City.
In his dialog with VMC officials, Benitez said the affected residents have been assured of 25 kilos of rice for each family for two weeks, while the cleanup of the affected river is ongoing.
The Sangguniang Panlungsod of Victorias City is scheduled to start its inquiry today, after organizing a fact finding committee, composed of representatives of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and Environment Management Bureau, among others.
In a statement, VMC said it immediately set in motion its standard operating measures to address the concerns of Victorias City residents.
We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience this may have caused, VMC said, as the management made assurances of their continuing commitment to protect the environment and the community.
It added that they will remain in close coordination with the city government of Victorias and its environment officers, until the matter is fully resolved.
Benitez said that VMC management has been applying more enzymes and lining to help eliminate the odor that affects residents of Victorias City.
As the incident happened, Benitez said they immediately deployed Bantay Dagat personnel to make sure that that no other humans, biodiversity, and marine life, is further damaged.
He vowed to implement the full force of the law, and to make sure that there will be no eliminating or degrading acts against natural resources, especially the welfare of the people.
Initial investigations of the Victorias City Environment and Natural Resources Office showed that the usual standard perimeter for treatment being applied by VMC is not enough to eliminate impurities of the wastewater treatment facility.
The use of aerator has disturbed the waste water, which makes the odor worse, according to initial probe of the City Environment and Natural Resources Office, while the VMC management debunked claims of waste being disposed into a river.
Affected residents also strongly believe that the foul odor is not just caused by the molasses spillage, but also leakage of the wastewater treatment facility itself, which affects rivers in Victorias City.
The City Health Office advised Victoriahanons to take necessary actions when exposed to the foul odor, or when experiencing symptoms such as difficulty in breathing, coughing, and consult a doctor or visit the nearest health center.*
