Operations continue in Negros Occidental town to contain molasses spill

CLEARING OPERATION. Personnel of the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office collect the foam-like substance from the Binalbagan River on Tuesday (April 22, 2025) after the molasses spill from the mill of the Binalbagan-Isabela Sugar Co. in Negros Occidental on April 19. Binalbagan Mayor Alejandro Mirasol said Wednesday (April 23, 2025) the main focus now is the cleaning and rehabilitation of the contaminated river. (Photo courtesy of Binalbagan PIO)

BACOLOD CITY — Cleanup operations continued Wednesday, April 23, in Binalbagan, Negros Occidental, as the local government worked to contain and rehabilitate the Binalbagan River after a molasses spill from a local sugar mill.

Mayor Alejandro Mirasol said the main priority now is cleaning and rehabilitating the river after the April 19 spill from the Binalbagan-Isabela Sugar Co. (Biscom) affected at least four barangays: Canmoros, Progreso, Marina, and San Juan.

“Right now, our focus is on cleaning the contaminated waters,” Mirasol said in a statement. “Afterward, the LGU will hold further talks with Biscom and representatives from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).”

Although the situation is now under control, Mirasol emphasized that Biscom would still be held liable for the spill.

The Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) said operations had begun to collect and dispose of the foam-like substance that surfaced in the river, with containment barriers also being installed to limit the spread.

To aid in dilution, the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) approved the release of water from the Pangiplan River Irrigation System. A similar request was made for the release of water from the Marikudo Dam, which flows through the Guintubhan River into the affected area.

The MDRRMO said the LGU would also assist displaced workers and affected households, including distributing face masks and medicines.

“There is continuous monitoring of the spill’s extent through geo-tracking, and we are coordinating with national agencies to update our status reports,” the agency said.

In a statement issued Wednesday, Biscom apologized for the incident and pledged to work swiftly to resolve it.

“We extend our sincere apologies to all who have been affected,” the company said. “We are committed to minimizing the environmental impact of this incident and ensuring full remediation of the affected areas.”

An internal assessment by Biscom’s technical team identified a probable cause: a Maillard reaction — a chemical process involving heat, amino acids, and sugars — that resulted in increased pressure and the overflow of molasses from storage tanks.

“We will continue to work transparently with all stakeholders and remain accountable to the communities we serve,” the company said.