After Bataan oil spill, Negros Occidental now braces for molasses spill
MANILA, Philippines — Amid efforts to contain the oil spill in sunken tankers off Bataan, residents, this time in Negros Occidental, brace for molasses spill, the Philippine Coast Guard reported Wednesday.
In a situation report, PCG said that the presence of discoloration in the waters surrounding MT Mary Queen of Charity was seen at the Sagay Feeder Port by port personnel.
“The port personnel suspected an undetermined volume of molasses spilled during the operations,” the PCG said.
The 490-GT vessel was conducting shore-to-ship operations, from a lorry truck loading molasses onto the ship.
Approximately 300 metric tons of molasses were already loaded when the discoloration was monitored in the vicinity waters, according to the PCG.
The PCG’s Marine Environmental Protection Unit (MEPU) conducts water sampling, as well as containment and recovery operations.
It also said that the City Environment and Natural Resources (CENRO) and concerned local government units are now being coordinated for further measures.
