Cheyenne Suarez

Toxic foam blankets Calamba river again as residents demand answers

Article (news)

Dennis Datu

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — Residents living along the San Juan River in Barangay Real, Calamba City, Laguna remain deeply concerned as an unidentified chemical flowed into the river and produced thick toxic foam, a foul odor, and repeated fish kills.On Monday, resident Rolando Espedido shared a new video showing the river once again covered with foam.“Ala-6 ng hapon, ngayon lang po yan ha, nagtapon na naman po sila, at yan po bulang-bula na naman. Lumaki po kasi ang tubig sa ilog ngayong hapon dahil umulan po sa parteng Batangas,” Espedido said while documenting the situation.Espedido said the water was once again emitting a strong, foul smell and that numerous fish had died.“Ultimo yung janitor fish namatay oh, ganoon kalakas ang gamot na yun. Grabe! Makapaminsala talaga,” he added.On June 24, Espedido also documented dead fish floating in the San Juan River following another suspected chemical discharge that caused the river to foam.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2026/6/15/-toxic-foam-sparks-alarm-along-calamba-river-2154">&#x27;Toxic foam&#x27; sparks alarm along Calamba River </a></div>He first captured the alarming incident on June 12, when thick foam blanketed the river, accompanied by a nauseating odor and a fish kill.Following the incident, personnel from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and the Calamba City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) immediately inspected the area the following day.The PCG also collected water samples to determine the type of chemical contaminating the river.However, according to Calamba CENRO chief Joseph Arlan Llorente, laboratory results have yet to be released.“Ang inaabangan na lang po namin ay yung resulta ng sample para po mas clear po kung ano pong mga chemical ang andoon sa ilog,” Llorente said.“Minsan tumatagal ng two to three weeks ang resulta ng sampling,” he said.Llorente added that authorities have traced the river and observed foam coming from the vicinity of a factory and flowing toward the river. However, they have yet to confirm whether it is the same substance contaminating the San Juan River.“Mayroon din po silang nakitang pagbula din po at naamoy din po dito sa San Juan River sa may Real. Kapag umulan daw po sa Batangas ay medyo lumalaki ang tubig, yun din po ang tinitingnan din po namin,” he said.Despite the recurring incidents, Llorente assured the public that, based on their monitoring, the suspected chemical has not yet reached Laguna de Bay.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2026/6/28/parents-demand-accountability-after-three-children-drown-in-laguna-de-bay-2142">Parents demand accountability after three children drown in Laguna de Bay </a></div>

Residents living along the San Juan River in Barangay Real, Calamba City, Laguna remain deeply concerned as an unidentified chemical flowed into the river and produced thick toxic foam, a foul odor, and repeated fish kills.

Residents living along the San Juan River in Barangay Real, Calamba City, Laguna remain deeply concerned as an unidentified chemical flowed into the river and produced thick toxic foam, a foul odor, and repeated fish kills.