Caritas Philippines Urges Action on Tañon Strait Pollution

Caritas Philippines has expressed deep concern over a wastewater spill that has affected the Tañon Strait, one of the largest marine protected areas in the Philippines, located between the islands of Cebu and Negros. The strait is a vital feeding, breeding, and nesting ground for marine mammals, known for its rich diversity of fish, mollusks, and crustaceans. However, scientific research indicates that approximately seven out of every ten corals surveyed in Bais Bay, on Negros' southeastern coast, have died following a molasses-laden wastewater spill last year. Bishop Gerardo Alminaza of San Carlos and president of Caritas Philippines, described the latest scientific findings not merely as an environmental statistic but as a "profound moral concern." He emphasized that coral reefs are "among God's most beautiful and life-giving creations," nourishing fisheries, protecting coastlines, sustaining marine species, and providing livelihoods for thousands of coastal families. "When corals die, creation itself cries out, and so do the poor whose lives depend upon healthy seas," Bishop Alminaza stated. He further described the Tañon Strait as a "shared gift entrusted to us by the Creator, a sanctuary of extraordinary marine biodiversity, and a sacred inheritance that belongs not only to our generation but also to those yet to come." The bishop urged agencies to act with urgency, transparency, and accountability, thanking scientists, marine researchers, fishers, and concerned citizens who have monitored the ecological tragedy. "If ongoing pollution is indeed continuing, every necessary legal and regulatory measure must be taken immediately to stop further damage, determine responsibility, ensure full compliance with environmental laws, and require the restoration of affected ecosystems," he said. Alminaza stressed that actions should be based on the "polluter pays" principle, which is enshrined in the country's laws and regulations. He recalled that last year, on October 27, a section of a 20-hectare lagoon wall at Universal Robina Corporation's distillery collapsed, releasing spent molasses wastewater into the sea. This breach affected about 6,000 hectares of marine and coastal waters within the Tañon Strait Protected Seascape, reportedly triggered by earthquake-induced cracks and exacerbated by heavy rains. Bishop Alminaza appealed to all industries operating in or near ecologically sensitive areas to recognize that economic activity cannot be separated from moral responsibility. "Genuine development must always respect the integrity of creation and the dignity of the communities whose lives depend upon it," he asserted. He expressed hope that this "painful moment" would awaken not only stronger environmental enforcement but also a "deeper ecological conversion." "We are called not merely to restore what has already been damaged, but to prevent further destruction while there is still time," he added. Concluding his remarks, the bishop stated, "The true measure of our progress is not how much wealth we extract from creation, but how faithfully we safeguard the gift that God has entrusted to us." He added that future generations "will judge us not by our intentions, but by the seas, forests and communities we leave behind."