• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
A molasses spill from a barge docked at the feeder port of Brgy. Old Sagay in Sagay City, Negros Occidental, was reported to have spread over an estimated 1.3 hectare of the marine reserve area multi-purpose zone.
Initial investigations of the Sagay City government showed that feeder port personnel observed the discoloration of waters surrounding M/T Mary Queen of Charity at the Sagay City port, at about 9 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 7.
The molasses spill took place while the vessel was conducting shore-to-ship operations with trucks loading molasses into the barge, according to an initial report from the city government of Sagay.
Based on the report of vessel Chief Mate Rene Malayang, about 307 metric tons of molasses were loaded into the barge chamber by a lorry truck.
The loading of molasses was immediately halted upon discovery of spilt as divers were dispatched to check and assess the molasses leakage.
While the leak was initially considered alarming due to its thickness, yesterday morning, Roberto Togle, Sagay Marine Reserve Resource Assessment head, noted that it had become thinner in the afternoon.
The volume of molasses that has spilled into the port surroundings has yet to be determined, as of this time.
But Togle said they are closely monitoring the waters in the area while investigations are still underway.
The Philippine Coast Guard is also looking into the incident.
Togle said representatives from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Environment Management Burea will arrive Thursday for water sampling analysis.
The Sagay City feeder port, which is a multi-use zone, forms part of the 32,000- hectare Sagay Marine Reserve area, Toggle said. | GB
