DENR files cases vs distillery in Negros

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December 8, 2025 | 12:00am

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources has filed criminal and administrative complaints against a distillery firm in Negros Island over the wastewater spill at Tañon Strait on Oct. 26, DENR regional director Charlie Fabre announced.

Fabre said the criminal charge against the Bais Distillery for violation of the Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System or the ENIPAS Act of 2018 was filed before the prosecutor’s office in Bais City.

The administrative complaint was raised before the Pollution Adjudication Board (PAB), he added.

According to Fabre, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources estimated the damage to marine life in the Tañon Strait Protected Seascape to be at P182 million.

The cases stemmed from the collapse of the distillery’s dike in October, which the distillery management blamed on earthquakes and heavy downpour.

The incident led to the spillage of about 2,555 cubic meters of untreated waste into the strait.

Fabre said a cease-and-desist order was issued and the distillery has since been prohibited from resuming operations.

He added that the resumption of operations would come after compliance with  the recommendations and ruling of PAB.

The DENR in Negros Island Region earlier sought the help of its research division as well as experts from the Silliman University and University of the Philippines-Diliman in conducting more damage assessment tests at the Bais Bay portion of Tañon Strait in Negros Oriental.

The department also sought the help of experts in finding ways to rehabilitate the marine protected area.

Recently, the Philippine Coast Guard reported sightings of dolphins in the protected seascape, as the PCG noted an improvement in water quality.