The Binalbagan Isabela Sugar Company assured the public of their urgency and diligence in cleaning up the Binalbagan River, while the local government unit opened the Pangiplan River Irrigation System to help dilute the molasses after about six tons spilled from the sugar mill on April 19.
BISCOM, in a statement issued on Wednesday, April 23, said that they are committed to minimizing the environmental impact of the molasses spill. It was a “Maillard reaction” which led to increased pressure that caused the overflow of molasses from their storage tanks, it said.
Maillard reaction is a non-enzymatic browning reaction that occurs when reducing sugars react with amino acids in food when heated.
The sugar company said that they are committed to minimizing the environmental impact of the incident and ensuring full remediation of the affected areas.
Measures like application of biodegradable chemicals to neutralize odors, ongoing river monitoring and clean-up, and deployment of manpower assistance were conducted by BISCOM, it said.
Meanwhile, the Binalbagan LGU has also released water from the Pangiplan River Irrigation System into the river to help dilute the molasses.
In a Facebook post from the town’s Local Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office, it said that the National Irrigation Administration has responded positively to open the irrigation system to minimize risk and damage control at the Binalbagan River.
It also advised local farmers that diversion of water is strictly prohibited from April 23 to 30, and distribution of water to farmlands will start on May 1.*