CITY OF MALOLOS — Following the broad spread of smoke caused by the massive fire that broke out at a waste disposal site in Navotas City, a total of 115 affected families from the island barangay of Salambao in Obando, Bulacan were rescued as of April 14 and received aid from the Provincial Government of Bulacan (PGB).
The PGB has conducted a thorough monitoring through the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office and provided initial assistance to the victims, including emergency kits, rice, and cash assistance to 347 individuals staying in the evacuation center at Obando National High School in Brgy. Paliwas.
While the said fire is already under control, the Bureau of Fire Protection said the thick smoke coming from the site has worsened air quality across parts of Metro Manila and Central Luzon, including the said barangay.
The residents also received boxes of N95 face masks from the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office to keep themselves safe from the health dangers caused by exposure from smog.
Rosalina Tayson Crisostomo, a 57-year-old sari-sari store owner from Salambao recalled her experience during the incident and shared how it affected their livelihood.
“Noong una may naamoy kami na mabaho, pagkatapos nu’n naglaon meron nang sumisiklab. Tapos nu’n lumakas na ‘yung apoy at kumapal na ‘yung usok,” she said. “Ngayon ho, wala kaming kabuhayan ngayon dito. Meron mang nahuhuli e matumal naman ho ngayon dahil ‘yung tubig at ‘yung mga isda, nakekemikal nga raw ho ngayon.”
Crisostomo and her family have been staying at the evacuation center since early morning of Saturday, April 11, hours after the fire ravaged the 41-hectare Navotas Sanitary Landfill on April 10 at around 8 PM.
With the thick smoke relentlessly affecting their island and having left with no choice but to stay in the emergency shelter, Crisostomo said her small sari-sari store—their family’s only source of income— remains closed and could no longer sustain their needs.
Governor Daniel R. Fernando expressed his sympathy to the residents and promised them his administration’s continuous support.
“Lahat po tayo [lalo sa panahong gaya nito] ay dapat magtulung-tulong, kasabay pa ng napakataas na presyo ng mga bilihin at gasolina. Panahon ito para magdamayan at iangat ang bawat isa. Kaya asahan ninyo po ang tuluy-tuloy na pag-aabot ng kamay ng ating Pamahalaang Panlalawigan para sa inyo hanggang sa malagpasan na natin ang pagsubok na ito,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Environmental Management Bureau in the National Capital Region is already considering the filing of criminal, civil, and administrative charges against the Philippine Ecology Systems Corporation or PhilEco, the former operator of the said landfill. (UnliNews Online)
PHOTO CAPTION:
Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office provides initial assistance to the victims, including emergency kits, rice, and cash assistance to 347 individuals staying in the evacuation center at Obando National High School in Brgy. Paliwas. (Photo courtesy of PPAO)
