RESIDENTS in Borbon town, northern Cebu had been advised not to drink from or wash in a river in Barangay San Gregorio Antigua after its waters turned white on Sunday, Aug. 21, 2022.
Officials of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Central Visayas (DENR 7) made the call just after conducting water sampling in the river on Monday following complaints from local officials there.
Margarito Ornopia Jr., chief of Barangay Don Gregorio Antigua, said residents panicked on Sunday afternoon after seeing the water in the 13-kilometer river turn white around 3 p.m.
He said after the incident was reported to his office, he immediately asked for an investigation and found out that Elmer Degamo, 29, a resident of Sitio Goyong Gamay, in the same barangay, was washing a water-based flexible bag that was used to cover a still unidentified chemical.
Degamo told Ornopia that he washed the bag as he intended to use it for his house.
Degamo has temporarily been placed under the custody of the village so it would be easier for the officials to ask him about anything related to the incident, Ornopia added.
The incident on Sunday was noticed in Barangays Sagay, Bongoyan, parts of Poblacion and all the way to Cadaruhan, which is facing the sea off Camotes Islands.
The river traverses five barangays in Borbon.
Separate probe
In a separate interview, Borbon Mayor Noel Dotillos said the town is also conducting its own investigation on the incident.
Dotillos said he has directed the Municipal Agriculture Office and the chief of police to lead the probe.