DENR implements containment measures for Negros Oriental wastewater spill

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) on Saturday said containment measures are being conducted for the wastewater spill incident in Bais City, Negros Oriental.

“Immediately following the incident, the DENR convened a technical conference with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and local government authorities to coordinate response efforts and implement containment measures,” said the DENR in a statement.

Further, the agency reported that its Regional Offices of Region 7 and Negros Island Region (NIR) held onsite inspections of the repair works and are leading containment efforts with partner agencies and local government units (LGUs).

“Initial water quality assessments conducted by the DENR-Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) indicate low levels of dissolved oxygen in affected waters, a condition that may cause fishkills and other adverse impacts on aquatic ecosystems. EMB and DENR's regional offices are working closely with the Department of Agriculture (DA)'s Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Region 7, which has issued an advisory prohibiting fishing, collection, and consumption of aquatic products from the affected areas pending further assessment,” it said.

The DENR said it will also coordinate with Sukat ng Kalikasan experts to perform an economic valuation of environmental damages and assess long-term impacts on the Tañon Strait coastal and marine ecosystems.

Further, the DENR Regional Offices of Region 7 and Negros Island Region are set to convene the Executive Committee of the Tañon Strait Protected Seascape Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) to determine immediate priorities, outline rehabilitation strategies, and ensure the sustained protection of the affected areas on November 5.

“We assure the public that comprehensive monitoring and rehabilitation efforts are ongoing to protect marine biodiversity and support the communities affected by this incident. We will continue to keep the public informed through regular updates,” the DENR added.

Meanwhile, activist fisherfolk group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (PAMALAKAYA) said more than 3,000 fisherfolk should be given "immediate economic aid and long-term compensation."

“Tiyak na matatagalan bago makabalik sa kabuhayan ang libo-libong mangingisda sa mga bayan ng Bais at Manjuyod. Kaya nararapat rin na agaran ang aksyon ng lokal na pamahalaan at mga kinauukulang ahensya para alalayan ang mga mangingisdang hindi makakapalaot,” PAMALAKAYA-Negros Chairperson Vincent Fernandez said.

(It will certainly take some time before thousands of fishermen in the towns of Bais and Manjuyod can return to their livelihoods. It is only appropriate for the local government and relevant agencies to take immediate action to support fishermen who are unable to conduct their fishing activities.)

PAMALAKAYA said that they are working on a damage and impact assessment report and plan to reach out to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and the DENR "to seek concrete rehabilitation for the affected livelihood and damaged resources."

The group also urged the company involved in the wastewater spill to provide compensation and shoulder the cleanup costs. 

The wastewater spill that hit North Bais Bay in Bais City affected 10 nearby barangays. —with Jiselle Anne Casucian/VAL/VBL, GMA Integrated News