Mayor Alejandro Mirasol said he is waiting for the official report of the Environment Management Bureau after the Binalbagan Isabela Sugar Company allegedly spilled about six tons of molasses in the Binalbagan River on Saturday, April 19.
He has yet to receive the assessment report from EMB, the agency that led the investigation into the incident that affected barangays San Juan and Canmoros located along Binalbagan’s major river, Mirasol told DIGICAST NEGROS on Monday.
He said that a leakage from BISCOM’s settling pond for molasses may have caused the spill because of the high heat index, but this has yet to be confirmed by the EMB.
The mayor has already met with the officials from EMB, BISCOM, and other government agencies, and the sugar milling company has assured that it will cover all damages incurred during the molasses spillage.
The town’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office has helped with the molasses containment measures at the river, together with personnel from BISCOM.
Mirasol assured that the municipality is ready to assist the residents of the two barangays who were affected by the spill.
The mayor also said that BISCOM has already acquired an odor-neutralizing misting system to reduce the smell coming from the spilled molasses.
He is expecting a report from the EMB on Tuesday, April 21, together with the possible violations that might be filed against the sugar mill, Mirasol said.*