BAUAN, Batangas – A chemical spill hit Barangay San Miguel here on Saturday, November 4, prompting the evacuation of 248 families, police said Monday, November 6.
Police said a land-based inspection revealed that the incident occurred during the loading of Solvent Naptha L at Tank No. 5 owned by a company in the area.
Due to the untightened drain plug of the storage tank, the control valve within the containment area opened, and resulted in chemicals spilling to the rainwater canal up to the coastal area, police added.
Police also said that approximately two drums of Solvent Naptha L, used as an additive to paints and thinner products, were spilled in a 6,000-square meter area.
The Marine Environmental Protection Group (MEPGRP)-STL-Batangas led by Police Lt. Precious Omalsa said the spill was eventually contained and clean-up in the affected shoreline was conducted.
The Philippine Coast Guard-Bauan Sub-station and MEPGRP made a follow-up coastal monitoring on the affected area and it was observed that the chemical gradually dissipated.
Response operation on the chemical spill was terminated at around 6 p.m. No casualties were reported and the evacuees were taken to the open parking lot in Barangay Bolo here.
A notice was issued to the company for violation of HPCG-Memorandum Circular 11-14 on December 2014 on the procedures for the dumping of waste and other harmful matters with the Philippine maritime jurisdiction.