The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) reported Saturday that it is leading a coordinated response to address a chemical spill from a distillery wastewater lagoon in Bais City, Negros Oriental, which collapsed on Sunday morning, 26 October.

An estimated 255,000 cubic meters of molasses wastewater were released into Bais Bay, potentially affecting 382.29 hectares of marine areas across 13 barangays within the Tañon Strait Protected Seascape.

In a statement sent to the Daily Tribune on 1 November, the DENR said that immediately after the incident, it convened a technical conference with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and local government authorities to coordinate response efforts and implement containment measures.

The DENR Regional Offices of Region 7 and the Negros Island Region (NIR) have conducted on-site inspections of the repair works being undertaken and are spearheading containment efforts with partner agencies and local government units (LGUs).

According to the DENR, it has also met with representatives of Universal Robina Corporation (URC) to ensure full compliance with government directives, provide relief to affected communities through LGUs, secure technical cooperation, and align on immediate containment and rehabilitation measures.

URC has agreed to expedite the repair of the breached dike, projected to be completed by 4 November, and to support a full ecological assessment by experts from local universities such as Silliman University. The company also committed to providing relief assistance to affected communities in Bais and Manjuyod.

Initial water quality assessments conducted by the DENR–Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) indicate low levels of dissolved oxygen in the affected waters, a condition that could cause fish kills and other adverse impacts on aquatic ecosystems.

The EMB and DENR’s regional offices are working closely with the Department of Agriculture’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 evaluation.

A multi-agency team of experts composed of representatives from the DENR, EMB, Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB), BFAR, Protected Area Management Office (PAMO), LGUs, and the academe will collaborate with URC’s technical team to conduct water quality analyses, hydrodynamic modeling, and environmental impact assessments to guide containment and remediation strategies.

The DENR said it will conduct a comprehensive review of URC’s Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) and other related permits. As warranted by law, the Department will initiate administrative, civil, and criminal proceedings against responsible parties.

The BMB will also coordinate with Sukat ng Kalikasan experts to undertake economic valuation of environmental damages and assess long-term impacts on the Tañon Strait’s coastal and marine ecosystems. Meanwhile, EMB continues regular water quality monitoring and evaluation of URC’s compliance with ECC conditions and the Clean Water Act.

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

The DENR said it is leading actions toward full ecological recovery and accountability, emphasizing that all efforts are guided by science, transparency, and coordination with concerned agencies, local authorities, and communities.

“We reaffirm our commitment to upholding environmental laws, holding all responsible parties accountable, and restoring the ecological integrity of the Tañon Strait Protected Seascape,” the agency said.

“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,” it added.