Batangas community urgently calls for media coverage, gov’t investigation over alleged ‘black material’ dumping in Simlong
- Media Communications
- Feb 5
- 4 min read
Batangas City, Philippines — The residents and barangay officials of Sitio Bakasyunan, Brgy. Simlong, Batangas City, raised serious concerns regarding the alleged unloading and dumping of black material at the pier near the barangay hall. The black material was carried by a vessel operating at a nearby pier and arrived on Jan. 14, 2026.
According to the community's description, the dumped material in Simlong exhibits properties similar to coal bottom ash and/or boiler slag. It was reportedly discharged close to residential areas, causing widespread unease, fear, and confusion among residents, particularly as the dumping incidents were not isolated and had reportedly occurred more than once.
“We sent our experts to check the reported black material, but barangay officials won't allow our experts entry. If the black material is described as coal bottom ash or boiler slag, both are hazardous and require specified handling and disposal. These are toxic pollutants that harm human health and cause respiratory and heart diseases, cancer, and neurological damage while also contaminating water and food sources,” explained Ian Rivera, Philippine Movement for Climate Justice (PMCJ) national coordinator.
Residents recalled a similar incident last Oct. 16, 2025, when coal was allegedly dumped and unloaded at the pier near their barangay. The community submitted a collective petition and raised health and environmental concerns to the barangay office and to the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) for proactive action. Community members reported health problems such as coughing, asthma, skin irritation, and breathing difficulties, along with environmental impacts, including coal dust causing dark rain and black residues that stain rainwater and outdoor laundry.
"I have allergies, you see. When I'm taken outside and come in, it really itches. My grandson has left because he can hardly breathe here. He won't let me sleep anymore, and I asked the barangay for medicine," said Alicia, not their real name, a resident of Sitio Bakasyunan near the pier where the alleged dumping and unloading of black material occurred. The residents took action and filed a complaint with the CENRO Batangas City regarding the dumping on Oct. 14, 2025. Community residents described the coal dumping as alarming and called on the Batangas City CENRO to conduct an urgent investigation and response, citing the serious impacts of the dumping on their health and overall well-being.
“Residents of Sitio Bakasyunan approached me regarding the black material that has harmful effects on the health, environment, and livelihood of our community. Even during the last coal unloading in October 2025, we were confused because we thought that would be the last time we would experience such an incident. However, this time it is more alarming because we do not know what the vessel of that company is unloading in our barangay here in Sitio Bakasyunan. We are extremely confused and concerned. We have already launched a petition signed by the residents of Sitio Bakasyunan opposing the first and second unloading incidents,” said Restituto Bobadilla, a resident and president of Clean and Healthy Air for All Batangueños (CABATANG), a community-led movement for climate justice and the right to health.
The barangay officials of Simlong acknowledge the concerns of the residents and allegations that they are supporting the operation due to their inaction regarding the coal dumping in their area. But the barangay officials denied it, stating they are on the side of the community. In addition, as of writing, no official statement has been issued by the company operating the pier or by CENRO, citing the unavailability of representatives. Also, no government official has taken urgent action to verify the dumped black material, a concern that officials must have, since communities are complaining of its impacts.
“Our call is for this to stop and never happen again, because there is already an agreement from the Sangguniang Barangay that coal will no longer be unloaded. This is a serious issue for our health and the environment. We are also asking for a clear explanation from the barangay officials and the pier operator. I hope this will not happen again,” Bobadilla added.
CABATANG, PMCJ-Batangas, and the Batangas community have long been campaigning against coal and other fossil fuels. On Sep. 21, 2025, in response to massive protests across the country against rampant corruption, the bells of all the parishes of the Archdiocese of Lipa were tolled simultaneously.
Study says coal severely harms human health because pollutants are released throughout its entire life cycle, from mining to combustion, and it also causes respiratory and heart diseases, cancer, neurological damage, occupational illnesses like black lung, and contributes to premature deaths worldwide. These health impacts also appear in the City Health Office's results data on the leading health issues in Batangas City in 2024. As the alleged dumping and unloading activities continue, the community also continues to stand up, demand their right to information in a transparent and legal manner, and ensure the protection of their health, environment, and livelihoods.
“Whether it is coal bottom ash or boiler slag or not, the residents have the right to know what is being dumped in their area. People are requesting an urgent investigation and results due to the material's impact. This should be taken as urgent and serious. Coal should never be tolerated and should not be supported,” ended Rivera. ###
For inquiries, contact:
Francisco M. Bonbon
Campaign and Social Media Officer
Batangas Clean Air Organizing
Philippine Movement for Climate Justice
For other PMCJ-related concerns, contact:
Sheila Abarra
Senior Media and Communications Officer
Philippine Movement for Climate Justice
Viber: +639916692356
WhatsApp: +639380898327
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