250 persons displaced by chemical spill in Batangas return to homes

NEARLY 250 individuals displaced by a recent chemical spill in Bauan, Batangas have returned to their homes after authorities addressed the problem.

“The recent chemical spill in Batangas is now under control, and all evacuees have safely returned to their homes,” said National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council executive director and Office of Civil Defense administrator Ariel Nepomuceno.

Earlier reports said two drums of the hazardous substance Naphtha leaked from the storage tank of IMPEX Philippines Company Inc. last Saturday.

The chemical, used in the production of paint and thinner products, spilled due to (an) “untightened drain plug,” the NDRRMC said.

Exposure to the substance may cause irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, the NDRRMC said, adding prolonged and excessive exposure may lead to “more severe health consequences.”

The chemical spill, which affected an area of 6,000 square meters, led to the hospitalization of two individuals, evacuation of 53 families or 248 individuals, and fish kill.

“Immediate containment and cleanup operations were conducted along the affected shoreline. According to reports, the chemical has naturally dissipated,” said Nepomuceno.

Nepomuceno expressed gratitude to local government units, the Philippine Coast Guard, and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources “for their prompt response to the incident.”

Nepomuceno said they will “continue to monitor the impact of this incident and take necessary actions.”

“Ongoing investigations are currently being conducted by the authorities,” said Nepomuceno.

He urged companies to “exercise caution and implement stringent measures (in the handling of hazardous chemicals) to prevent similar incidents” in the future.

The Philippine Coast Guard said the incident occurred “during its (chemical) loading at storage tank number 5 due to an untightened drain plug.”

“The containment area’s control valve was also partially opened, causing the chemical substance to leak into the rainwater channel and eventually to the shoreline,” the PCG said in a statement.

“The PCG and the company’s cleanup teams then conducted chemical spill recovery operations,” the PCG said,