MANILA, Philippines – International ocean conservation group Oceana has denounced the ethanol spill from Universal Robina Corporation’s (URC) distillery in Negros Oriental, calling it an “inexcusable” environmental disaster that endangers the country’s largest marine protected area and the livelihoods of thousands of coastal residents.
In a statement released on Friday, Oceana said the collapse of an ethanol containment lagoon at URC’s Bais Distillery Plant threatens to cause “serious and lasting ecological damage” to the Tañon Strait Protected Seascape, a 518,000-hectare body of water between Negros and Cebu known for its rich marine biodiversity.
“Tañon Strait is a national treasure, not a sacrifice zone for industrial waste,” said Oceana Vice President Von Hernandez. “The polluter must pay the highest price for its inexcusable failure to observe due diligence in the operation of its plant.”
Lagoon collapse triggers wastewater spill
According to the Environmental Management Bureau in the Negros Island Region (EMB-NIR), a section of the 20-hectare lagoon wall at the URC facility collapsed on October 27, releasing spent molasses wastewater into the coastal waters of Bais City and Manjuyod. The spill reportedly affected around 400 hectares of the Tañon Strait.
Photos released by the EMB-NIR showed murky brown waters spreading off the coast of Bais City—part of the Tañon Strait Protected Seascape—prompting environmental and marine experts to assess the extent of the contamination.
While molasses is organic, experts warn that its high biochemical oxygen demand can deplete oxygen levels in seawater, suffocating fish and damaging coral reefs, seagrass beds, and other marine habitats.
URC cites heavy rains, earthquakes
In a statement issued Tuesday, URC acknowledged the incident and attributed it to unusually heavy rains and a series of earthquakes that weakened the lagoon structure.
“Multi-sectoral efforts led by URC Bais Distillery, local government, and environmental officials are underway to contain the spillage of wastewater from a breach in our lagoon wall due to earthquake-induced cracks, exacerbated by continuous heavy rains,” the company said.
URC said it has temporarily shut down operations and is coordinating with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for containment and cleanup. The company also vowed to construct “climate-resilient and robust lagoon walls” to prevent future incidents.
Cease-and-desist, investigation underway
Following the spill, EMB-NIR issued an interim cease-and-desist order against URC’s distillery. Bais City Mayor Luigi Marcel Goñi likewise ordered the suspension of operations until a “concrete, reliable, and long-term solution” is presented by the company.
The local government is also coordinating with national agencies to assess both the environmental and socio-economic impacts of the disaster.
Communities demand justice
Oceana expressed solidarity with affected fishers and communities in Negros and Cebu, calling for compensation and transparency in the investigation.
“We stand in solidarity with the people of Bais and other communities who are bearing the brunt of corporate negligence,” said Hernandez. “The government must ensure justice and reparations for those whose livelihoods have been disrupted.”
The group urged authorities to implement immediate containment and long-term restoration efforts, and to determine whether URC and regulatory agencies complied with environmental safeguards.
“The beauty, bounty, and ecological integrity of Tañon Strait are now under threat because of this negligent act,” Oceana said. “The spill can alter nutrient cycles and food webs, damaging coral reefs, seagrass beds, and benthic habitats that sustain marine life.”
The Tañon Strait, home to 14 species of whales and dolphins, is one of the most biologically diverse marine corridors in the Philippines. It supports thousands of fisherfolk who depend on its waters for food and income.
(Photo Courtesy: Facebook/ Freeman Cebu)
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