Oil spill pollutes Marikina River

The oil spill that polluted the Marikina River before midnight Wednesday was traced to the liquid trash disposed by a softdrink plant in Cainta, Rizal.

Marikina Mayor Bayani Fernando ordered the gathering of evidence against the Coca Cola Philippines softdrink plant for the possible filing of indiscriminate disposal of water pollutants charges against the firm.

Meanwhile, the Marikina City health office is monitoring the health hazard.

It was learned that the local government of Marikina City has planted millions of carpa fingerlings in the river but at present no report of a fish kill has come up, said Fernando.

The oil spill was discovered by officials of the Marikina Riverpark Authority (MRA) before midnight Wednesday.

The water pollutants started spreading, prompting MRA officials to issue an alert to residents living on the riverbanks.

The MRA officials traced the source of the water pollutants from a creek in Barangay Tiaong, in Cainta town where the Coca Cola plant was allegedly dumping its liquid wastes. Coca Cola officials could not be reached for comment.

Fernando explained that the oil spill passed through the creek and flowed to the Sumulong Interceptor before spilling into the Marikina River, which is connected to the Pasig River.

The City Health Office and the Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) gathered oil samples from the river for tests. The result, however, would be available sometime next week, City Health Officer Angelito Lladres said.

Lladres said they will base their charges on the findings and the level of toxicity found in the oil spill.

The LLDA will file separate charges upon receipt of their findings, Lladres said.