A catastrophic wastewater spill from a distillery plant has contaminated nearly 400 hectares of the Tañon Strait Protected Seascape (TSPS), the Philippines’ largest marine protected area, triggering health warnings, livelihood disruptions, and government crackdowns, authorities confirmed this week. Spanning 521,000 hectares between Negros and Cebu islands, the TSPS was designated a protected zone via Presidential Proclamation 1234 in 1998. The spill’s epicenter lies in Bais City and the Manjuyod Sandbar — dubbed the “Maldives of the Philippines” — where residents first reported unusual water discoloration and mass fishkill washed ashore.

Adiong, E. Y., & Jordan, G. (2025, October 31). Tañon protected area contaminated. The Manila times, p. A10.