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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider NDRRMC monitoring 382-hectare pollution threat after distillery spill in Negros Oriental

NDRRMC monitoring 382-hectare pollution threat after distillery spill in Negros Oriental

Published Nov 2, 2025 12:07 pm  |  Updated Nov 2, 2025 03:00 pm
Photo uploaded on social media on Oct. 30, 2025 shows laborers working double time to contain the wastewater spill in Negros Oriental after a 20-hectare lagoon wall belonging to Universal Robina Corporation’s (URC) Bais Distillery failed and released ethanol wastewater into the coastal waters of Bais Bay, threatening marine life within the Tañon Strait Protected Seascape, on Oct. 26. (Photo courtesy of Negros Oriental provincial board member Erwin Macias)
Photo uploaded on social media on Oct. 30, 2025 shows laborers working double time to contain the wastewater spill in Negros Oriental after a 20-hectare lagoon wall belonging to Universal Robina Corporation’s (URC) Bais Distillery failed and released ethanol wastewater into the coastal waters of Bais Bay, threatening marine life within the Tañon Strait Protected Seascape, on Oct. 26. (Photo courtesy of Negros Oriental provincial board member Erwin Macias)
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said on Sunday, Nov. 2, that it was closely monitoring a massive environmental threat Negros Oriental after a wastewater spill from a collapsed containment lagoon in Bais City stained the local marine environment.
Undersecretary Harold Cabreros, NDRRMC executive director and Office of Civil Defense (OCD) administrator, said he mobilized the NDRRM Operations Center (NDRRMOC) when a 20-hectare lagoon wall belonging to a distillery owned by a food and beverage conglomerate failed and released ethanol wastewater into the coastal waters of Bais Bay, threatening marine life within the Tañon Strait Protected Seascape, on Oct. 26.
According to Cabreros, preliminary assessments by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) indicated “visible discoloration across North Bais Bay, posing significant risks to marine biodiversity, fisheries, and local livelihoods.”
The ecological impact is potentially severe, with the spill affecting approximately 382.3 hectares of coastal and marine areas, the NDRRMC said.
The affected zone covers eight barangays in Bais City and an additional five barangays in the neighboring Manjuyod municipality.
Cabreros directed continuous monitoring of the situation as the OCD Negros Island Region (OCD NIR) was immediately deployed on the ground.
“OCD NIR is conducting ocular inspections and coordinating with local DRRM office and other concerned agencies to address the impacts of the wastewater spill and support response operations,” he said.

Related Tags

Negros Oriental wastewater spill NDRRMC URC Universal Robina Corporation
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