Molasses spill in Negros Occidental clears up

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — The city government of Sagay in Negros Occidental is considering filing charges against those responsible for the molasses spill at a marine reserve last week.

About 300 metric tons of molasses spilled into a portion of the city’s feeder port, affecting 1.3 hectares of the 32,000-hectare Sagay Marine Reserve.

In its investigation, the Philippine Coast Guard found that M/T Mary Queen of Charity is compliant with safety regulations and that its hull was intact. However, it found possible negligence by the crew during the shore-to-ship operations.

Mayor Narciso Javelosa Jr. said in a statement that the city government would hold accountable those responsible for the incident, noting that fines ranging from P200,000 to P1 million maybe slapped against the vessel operator and crew for violating the Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System Act of 2018.

Roberto Togle, Resource Management Section head of the Sagay Marine Reserve, said the spill had cleared up on Friday.