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To: LGUs of Bais City and Manjuyod, DENR, EMB, and environmental legal groups

For the Future of Bais City, Manjuyod, and Tañon Strait — Support the Filing of a Writ of Kalikasan

The LGUs of Bais City and Manjuyod must file or support the filing of a Writ of Kalikasan before the Court of Appeals to protect the affected communities and the Tañon Strait.

They should also:

● Request an independent and transparent investigation into the wastewater spill and its impact on the environment and public health.

● Coordinate with the DENR, EMB, and environmental law groups for legal, scientific, and technical support.

● Ensure public disclosure of test results and actions taken.

● Lead rehabilitation and monitoring efforts to prevent future harm.

These steps will show strong local leadership and ensure that accountability, transparency, and environmental protection remain top priorities.

Why is this important?

For generations, the rivers and coasts of Bais City and Manjuyod have given life to our people—from fisherfolk who rise before dawn to families who depend on clean water for food and health. These same waters flow into the Tañon Strait Protected Seascape, home to dolphins, coral reefs, and the famous Manjuyod Sandbar that draws visitors and supports local tourism and employment.

Today, that lifeline is threatened. The recent wastewater contamination has clouded not only our seas but also our sense of safety and trust. Fisherfolk worry about their catch; workers and small business owners fear for tourism’s future. Communities along the coast ask, "Will visitors still come if our waters are unsafe?"

Filing a Writ of Kalikasan is our way to act—responsibly and lawfully—to protect both nature and livelihood. This is not about blame but about truth, accountability, and recovery. By standing together, we defend not just our seas but also the dignity and future of the people who depend on them.
Bais City, Negros Oriental, Philippines

Maps © Stamen; Data © OSM and contributors, ODbL

Updates

2026-07-22 16:17:37 +0800

Nine months later, the damage continues.

Scientists report that up to 69% of surveyed corals in Bais Bay have recently died, with ongoing wastewater discharge identified as the major concern.

This is more than an environmental issue—it is about our fisherfolk, our food security, and the future of the Tañon Strait.

Stop the pollution. Enforce the law. Restore our seas.

#SaveTañonStrait #ProtectBaisBay #HoldPollutersAccountable

https://ph.oceana.org/press-releases/scientists-reveal-spill-of-toxic-ethanol-wastewater-into-the-philippines-largest-marine-protected-area-for-the-past-9-months/

2026-02-04 16:04:33 +0800

VICE GOV FRITZ DISAPPOINTED AT ETHANOL PLANT RESUME OPERATIONS WITHOUT NOTIFYING THE PROVINCE
Vice Governor Cezzane Fritz Diaz of Negros Oriental province was disappointed upon learning that the Ethanol plant in Bais City resume “Operation”without informing Negros Oriental provincial officials.
During the regular session of the Provincial Council, the vice governor was shocked that the URC ethanol plant in Bais City resumed operations last month after obtaining a 90-day Temporary Lifting Order (TLO) from the national office of the DENR without their knowledge. RAB .
https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1867intb1U/

2026-02-04 12:09:12 +0800

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has filed a ₱182-million damage suit against Universal Robina Corp.–Bais Distillery over the molasses spill that affected Bais Bay and the Tañon Strait in October last year.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1FGoLbEXze/

2026-02-04 12:08:42 +0800

DENR files P182M suit vs URC
https://metropost-online.com/denr-files-p182m-suit-vs-urc/

2026-01-04 11:39:37 +0800

Post from The Weekly Sillimanian close to a month ago. "BLOOD-FLOODED WATERS🩸"
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1RCzrZeeTn/

2025-11-26 00:43:26 +0800

Statement by our Director, Mikhail Lee Maxino
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CjEvWCv8J/

2025-11-19 21:06:33 +0800

BFAR Partially Lifts Fishing Ban in Bais and Manjuyod After Seafood Passes Safety Tests; Shellfish and “Alamang” Still Prohibited Due to High Plankton and Vibrio Levels.
Bais City Administrator Atty. Romela Napao told the Inquirer in an interview that their fish market will reopen after local fishermen were previously banned from fishing following the ethanol spill from the URC plant. | via Kaye Brier, Philippine Daily Inquirer
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Xm8n445Tg/

2025-11-17 23:32:20 +0800

Sharing Congresswoman Ma. Isabel MAISA Sagarbarria’s powerful message at the House of Representatives today.
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/17Sc2YPhDg/

2025-11-08 11:38:06 +0800

𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐨𝐫 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐞𝐥 “𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐜𝐨” 𝐋. 𝐒𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐫𝐛𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐚 issued 𝐄𝐱𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐎𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐍𝐨. 𝟑𝟑, 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓, 𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐁𝐚𝐢𝐬 𝐖𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐰𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞 𝐓𝐚𝐬𝐤 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞.
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18zcUrHoeV/

2025-11-07 11:04:06 +0800

Typhoon Tino a boon to Bais: Mayor Goñi
https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmetropost-online.com%2Ftyphoon-tino-a-b%3Ffbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExWmFsdXVpODExZjRCazhvb3NydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR6ri0O6cpVxkYISS-9em7CN1olCHbTNlKkueSrcrljgWOfwTh2MROc-lvxi7w_aem_QKDdo7eRQTCLNlqci4fDiw&h=AT32vsM79YLDsHUTfHXEZlKNNbrBIWHwYjmxnrzCSyUQfZi9dt1JrKo8DuWt228F_eikLObpSNMT_NlryUlP9Vo65HPBzL6SzdQ_SJ9zhSnD1n-Mds4K0W2GHjmVzyXDQ3RzGV-ANTz8GQ&__tn__=R]-R&c[0]=AT2ht9GW_XQvTACSVv-v91qfhT1qyEq1D_groDSxP69o6wOjkccPcD82bG9TNSjK8-bP2Rebi1G4rbJ53NJwe1kEGwAYMfvuNxoJDSrYIUnKtPlPJJQKauUmXulQ4E2mCsg5zTL7-GV6xIwVwm8Ir1-O077DYF77RZlZMyQ52ro5o9UXmIk1WfB2w9YsmT_feDBdFZpfVo3WE3BkM3xrOq8XIXQk2OhIMFo

2025-11-07 10:59:05 +0800

‘Spent wash’ spill smears 6,000 hectares of Tañon Strait – SU savants
https://metropost-online.com/spent-wash-spill-smears-6000-hectares-of-tanon-strait-su-savants/

2025-11-06 20:08:22 +0800

Marcos orders complaint filed vs distillery over molasses spill in Tañon Strait
https://www.rappler.com/philippines/visayas/marcos-jr-orders-complaint-bais-distillery-molasses-spill-tanon-strait-negros-oriental/

2025-11-05 16:50:09 +0800

500 signatures reached

2025-11-04 22:33:10 +0800

Silliman University of Dumaguete issued their statement on the spent wash spill at the Tañon Strait Protected Seascape.
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19qoSoXTnF/

2025-11-03 21:11:17 +0800

Just like all the others, it's just another vow destined to be broken.
https://www.rappler.com/business/universal-robina-vows-repair-tailing-pond-bais-negros-oriental-molasses-spill/