MOLASSES LEAK. The molasses spill from M/T Mary Queen of Charity docked at the feeder port in Sagay City, Negros Occidental, on Wednesday (Aug. 7, 2024). In a statement, Mayor Narciso Javelosa Jr. said immediate actions have been taken to minimize the damage due to the molasses spill. (Photo courtesy of Sagay City Information and Tourism Office)
BACOLOD CITY – A molasses spill from M/T Mary Queen of Charity caused the discoloration of waters along the feeder port in Sagay City, Negros Occidental on Wednesday.
In a statement, Mayor Narciso Javelosa Jr. said the local government unit’s (LGU) Environment and Natural Resources Office (ENRO) and the Philippine Coast Guard are investigating the incident.
“All immediate actions are being done to minimize the damage of the molasses spill,” he said.
Molasses, a thick, heavy syrup, a by-product of the sugar-making process, is not considered a pollutant or a toxin but could be harmful to marine life, according to reports quoting marine experts.
A report released by Commander Jansen Benjamin, chief of Coast Guard Station-Northern Negros Occidental (CGS-NNOC), showed there was a report about the molasses leak at around 9 a.m. after a discoloration was observed in the waters surrounding the vessel.
An estimated 300 metric tons of molasses have been loaded into the vessel.
Immediately, the vessel master was instructed to discontinue the loading operations, it added.
As part of the response, the CGS-NNOC said it is coordinating with Sagay City ENRO to monitor the waters surrounding the vessel.
The ENRO’s marine environmental protection unit conducted water sampling as containment while recovery operations were initiated.
“The vessel master has been directed to file a marine protest,” CGS-NNOC report said. (PNA)
