Negros LGU fines vessel owner for molasses spill

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — The Sagay City government in Negros Occidental has imposed a fine of P250,000 on the owner of M/T Mary Queen of Charity for violating the Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System Act of 2018.

City legal officer Ryan Bonghanoy said yesterday that additional fines may be imposed by the Environmental Management Bureau in Western Visayas as a result of the molasses spill.

The primary concern of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources is the possible effect of the spill on the marine habitat, according to provincial DENR officer Joan Nathaniel Gerangaya.

She said the DENR is still waiting for the results of the water sampling taken from the affected area.

Molasses is a viscous byproduct in the processing of sugarcane and is used in baking, candy making and production of vinegar and citric acid.

The molasses spill affected 1.3 hectares of the 32,000-hectare Sagay Marine Reserve.

Jansen Benjamin, Philippine Coast Guard commander for northern Negros Occidental, said the vessel was allowed to leave after paying the fine to the Sagay City government.