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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Gov't studying whether legal action be pursued over Negros waste spill—Palace

Gov't studying whether legal action be pursued over Negros waste spill—Palace

Published Nov 5, 2025 04:06 pm
Authorities are studying whether legal action should be pursued over the massive wastewater spill from Universal Robina Corp. (URC) Bais Distillery in Negros Oriental, Malacañang said.
Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said aside from containment measures, "authorities are likewise studying whether legal action should be taken based on Republic Act No. 11038."
She added that if a law was indeed violated, the government will be compelled to file charges.
"Kapag po talagang mayroong nalabag na batas, hindi po mag-aatubili ang gobyerno na magsampa po ng kaso (If a law has indeed been violated, the government will not hesitate to file charges)," Castro said in a Palace briefing on Wednesday, Nov. 5, when asked if the government is considering to impose sanctions on the company.
Castro said President Marcos has been made aware of the issue and ordered the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to carry out containment measures.
According to the Palace official, the DENR has already communicated with URC Bais Distillery to address the issue immediately.
The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has also instructed affected residents to refrain from fishing and collecting any aquatic organisms or seaweeds to avoid potential health risks, Castro added.
"Alam na po ito ng Pangulo kaya po kumilos agad ang DENR at nagkaroon na po ng pakikipag-usap sa Philippine Coast Guard at sa mga LGUs para po sa agarang pagresponde dito at pag-implement po ng containment measures. At nagkaroon na rin po ng pakikipag-usap sa URC Bais Distillery at kinakailangan po nilang ayusin ito nang agaran (The President is already aware of this, which is why the DENR immediately took action and coordinated with the Philippine Coast Guard and the concerned LGUs for a prompt response and the implementation of containment measures. The agency has also communicated with URC Bais Distillery, which has been directed to address the issue immediately)," Castro said.

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