BACOLOD CITY — A fish kill has been reported in Pontevedra town in southern Negros Occidental after the dam of Central Azucarera de la Carlota Inc. (CACI) in the adjacent La Carlota City collapsed on Tuesday.
An inspection conducted by a team from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Environment Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) on Wednesday indicated pollution, such as water discoloration and presence of dead fish.
Desiderio Figueroa, head of Provincial Environment Management Unit of Negros Occidental under the DENR-EMB Region 6 (Western Visayas), said they have yet to conclude on what caused the pollution since a water analysis is still being conducted.
He said they took water samples from downstream to upstream areas a day after they received the report on Tuesday.
The result is expected to be released in the next seven to 10 days, Figueroa added.
CACI, a subsidiary of Roxas Holdings Inc. (RHI), said in a press statement on Wednesday that it is closely monitoring the water levels of the impounding dams at Barangay Najalin.
The management is looking into the incident that apparently caused the breach of the southern wall of the dam, the statement added.
Administration Division head Ramonito Lastima said as a result of the collapse, water from the first dam spilled over to the second dam.
He said the dam that collapsed was rehabilitated only last year.
“We are investigating the event and are looking into the integrity and quality of work in the rehabilitation done,” he said.
“It is unfortunate that this event has caused concerns among our communities, but rest assured we will resolve this matter with urgency,” Lastima added.
A joint team from the sugar mill’s Environmental Management Services and Factory Operations has placed sand bags to contain the leak since May 6.
CACI said it is conducting regular sampling of water among strategic areas of the affected river.
Its workers are also continuously coordinating with the concerned local government unit, DENR, Department of Agriculture, Sugar Regulatory Administration, and Bureau of Fish and Aquatic Resources to ensure the implementation of other necessary protective measures, the firm added
For his part, Pontevedra Mayor Jose Benito Alonso described the dam collapse as “another disastrous event” that has affected the livelihood of his constituents.
He said the incident mainly affected five villages, including Barangays Don Salvador Benedicto, San Juan, 1, 2 and 3, situated along the rivers connected with the damaged dam. (Erwin Nicavera/PNA)
