Authorities probe potentially toxic foam on San Juan River in Laguna

CALAMBA CITY, Laguna — Authorities are investigating another incident of contamination at the San Juan River in Calamba City, Laguna, after thick foam believed to contain toxic chemicals covered parts of the waterway.

Thick, soap-like foam was seen on the river in Barangay Real on Monday afternoon, raising concerns among residents.

Resident Rolando Espedido suspects the foam may have been caused by chemicals discharged by factories near the river. He said this usually occurs when it rains.

Espedido recorded the incident and uploaded the video to his social media page. He also said he saw dead fish and turtles in the river.

He fears the suspected chemicals could reach Laguna de Bay and cause significant damage to the livelihood of fishermen in the area.

“Kung yung mga chemical po na dumadaan dito na nakakapatay po ng isda ay maiipon po doon, mamamatay po yung mga isda doon,” Espedido said.

(If the chemicals that flow through here and kill the fish end up there, the fish in the lake will die too.)

The Calamba City Environment and Natural Resources Office said it immediately inspected the river after receiving a report of the incident.

The office said it had coordinated with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Environmental Management Bureau, the Provincial Environment and Management Unit, and the Laguna Lake Development Authority. 

CENRO has also asked the LLDA to test water samples from the affected portion of the San Juan River.

The investigation will include inspections of factories near the river, extending from Calamba to Batangas, to determine whether chemical discharge from them caused the foaming.

“Kaya po ang LLDA po yung talaga pong may jurisdiction po regarding po sa pagte-test ng tubig kasi po marami na pong bayan ang naka-ankla sa San Juan River,” said Joseph Arlan Llorente, head of Calamba CENRO.

(It is the LLDA that has jurisdiction on testing the water because the San Juan River passes through many towns.)

This is not the first time the San Juan River has been covered in foam.

In June, Espedido recorded a similar incident following heavy rainfall. The foam emitted a foul odor, and several dead fish were also seen in the river.

However, authorities were unable to determine the cause of that incident.

Residents are calling for a more thorough investigation to identify and hold accountable any factory found to be responsible for discharging chemicals into the river.

“Eh panawagan ko po sa kay mayor po ng Calamba, paki-tutukan naman po ang nangyayari po dito sa atin,” Espedido said.

(I am calling on the mayor of Calamba to pay attention to what is happening here.)

The San Juan River is an important resource for nearby residents, who rely on it for fish used as food and also use its waters for bathing and washing clothes.

Residents fear that continued contamination could threaten their health, the river’s ecosystem and their livelihoods.