DENR probes toxic foam on Laguna river

CALAMBA CITY, Laguna – The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-Provincial Environment Office-Laguna and the Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) are investigating the spread and flow of alleged toxic foam on the San Juan River in Barangay Real here on Monday, June 16. The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Calamba City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) have conducted a joint inspection of the river. Ronn Martin Reyes, supervising environmental management specialist of the Calamba City CENRO, said a laboratory analysis will help determine what type of chemical caused the foaming. He said they cannot yet pinpoint where the chemical originated as there are many locators or manufacturing companies on the river. Anyone found to have illegally discharged chemicals into the river will face charges for violating the Philippine Clean Water Act, authorities said. People expressed concern after inhaling alleged toxic foam and seeing dead fish on the river.