Over 460 Batangas families evacuated due to chemical spill

More than 460 families were evacuated after a chemical spill in Bauan, Batangas, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO) said.

According to a GMA Regional TV News report, some of the affected individuals experienced vomiting and sore throat amid the pungent stench in the area.

The report said the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) identified the chemical as solvent, which is usually used for paint production. The chemical has reportedly leaked from a storage facility.

"Sa isang terminal depot dito, parang tank farm siya eh. Doon po siya nanggaling, 'yun po 'yung pinaka-source (It was from a terminal depot. It was like a tank farm. It was the source of the spill),” Bauan Coast Guard Substation commander Jun Layosa said.

According to the storage facility, the solvent leaked from a tank with an improperly sealed hole. The barrier in the depot was also elevated, causing the chemical to spill into the sea, it added.

"Kapag umuulan, ibinubukas din namin. Nakalimutang isara pero konting-konti lang naman. Halos noong ma-compute namin iyong aming loss almost one drum lang,” said Emil de Roxas, who was in charge of the depot.

(We open it when it's raining. We forgot to close it but only a little. Based on our computation, our loss was only about one drum.)

Around 200 liters of chemicals spilled to the sea, the report said.

The Bauan local government has issued a closure order against the company that operates the depot.

While the PCG already controlled the leakage, swimming and fishing are still prohibited in the area due to the chemical spill.

The evacuees have already returned to their homes, according to the PDRRMO. —Joviland Rita/KBK, GMA Integrated News