The Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Negros Island Region is awaiting the results of ongoing investigations and laboratory analyses from various groups before deciding on possible legal action regarding the wastewater spill in the Tañon Strait Protective Seascape (TSPS).
DENR-NIR director Charlie Fabre told the Philippine News Agency Nov. 21 that they will consolidate the reports of groups from the government and private sectors to determine the basis for the next move.
He assured that the Universal Robina Corporation (URC) is cooperating with the investigation and has not resumed operations yet, pending the go-signal from the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), the office that issued a cease-and-desist order against the firm following the spent wash spill last month.
Fabre also recommended that water samples from the 17-hectare lagoon where the wastewater spillage originated be tested for heavy metals, to be fair to URC.
“The results can be compared with water samples taken or tested from the sea in areas affected by the spent wash spill,” Fabre said.
He said results of the heavy metals testing will help determine whether the spillage contained these substances.
He noted that other sources of harmful heavy metals could contaminate the sea, such as agricultural runoff from the mountains.
The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has yet to release the results of its heavy metal tests, Fabre said.
The BFAR in Central Visayas has partially allowed the resumption of fishing activities in the Bais City and Manjuyod area after water and fish test results showed acceptable parameters.
The agency, however, still prohibits the collection and consumption of shellfish and “alamang” (small shrimp) due to high concentrations of plankton that could trigger a harmful algal bloom.
The Silliman University Institute of Environmental and Marine Sciences (IEMS), the Coast Guard, BFAR, and DENR are involved in the investigation of the wastewater spill that contaminated a large part of the seas off Bais City and Manjuyod town, displacing thousands of fisherfolk.
Fabre said once the reports are in, a multi-sectoral meeting will be held before the DENR can take proper legal action against the firm.
Meanwhile, he said they are double-checking the breached wall of the lagoon, which was reported earlier to have been fixed, following reports of leakage.
He said the 17-hectare lagoon will no longer be used for wastewater containment. ||
