Manila: Negros Oriental provincial officials are demanding long-term solutions to prevent another wastewater spill from an ethanol plant that has impacted thousands and contaminated a protected seascape. Board Member Erwin Michael Macias, chair of the Environmental Committee, said the United Robina Corp. (URC) must ensure its Bais Distillery facilities are improved to avert a recurrence of the weekend lagoon breach.

According to Philippines News Agency, the board’s unanimous sentiment came during a special session called in response to growing unrest among coastal residents of Bais City and Manjuyod town. “We want to be assured that the URC distillery’s wastewater treatment facilities are improved and more resilient to prevent future disasters,” Macias said. In response, URC Bais Distillery operations manager Rachel Cawit assured compliance with all Department of Environment and Natural Resources requirements. Cawit said the company is undertaking round-the-clock work on the 17-hectare buffer zone, adding that they anticipate completing lagoon repairs by Nov. 4 but will not resume operations without official approval.

Vicente Losba±es, director of the Environment Management Bureau – Negros Island Region, said about 255,000 cubic meters of wastewater, termed “spent wash,” emptied into the sea. Manric Barillo, head of the province’s Environment and Natural Resources Division, said more than 1,000 hectares of the Ta±on Strait Protected Seascape have been contaminated. The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources has issued an advisory against fishing and consuming seafood from the seascape due to possible chemical contamination.

Meanwhile, the Bais City government has declared a state of calamity, while the provincial government awaits a second declaration. Initial reports show that about 3,500 families in Bais City and 1,000 in Manjuyod have been affected. Hundreds of fisherfolk held a peaceful rally at the URC distillery on Wednesday, calling for immediate assistance.