The Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) has issued a cease and desist order for a seven-day stoppage in the discharging of molasses from a sugar mill in Binalbagan town, Province of Negros Occidental.

This after a molasses spill was reported at the Binalbagan River on April 19, 2025.

The EMB has also issued a Notice of Violation against the sugar mill company.

In an investigation done by the EMB, the molasses overflowed from a molasses pond that spilled on to the community canal which feeds the Binalbagan River.

“Kanilang perimeter canal kasi connected rin sa barangay outfall. Doon, upon investigation, ito ang resulta,” said Atty. Wilma Lagance, spokesperson of DENR-EMB 6.

It was learned that the pond contained a total of 4,980 tons of molasses prior to the incident. As of this writing, the pond contains a total of 2,400 tons. The company has aimed reportedly to recover at least 2,570 tons. About 10 tons have already been considered lost.

Meanwhile, the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) in Kabankalan said that a reported fishkill in a few barangays occurred after the molasses spill in Binalbagan.

“Most probably kung polluted siya at may isda, mamamatay talaga. Hindi natin makuha ang volume kasi kumalat na,” Fred Canto, head of DENR-CENRO in Kabankalan City.

As of this writing, the sugar mill company has coordinated with the Local Government Unit of Binalbagan and DENR-EMB to contain the molasses spill.