CEBU, Philippines - Residents of villages in barangays Poblacion and Cansojong in Talisay City fear the dark smoke and foul smell that allegedly come from a noodle factory nearby put their health in danger.
Lina Mariano, 48, a resident of Cansojong, told The FREEMAN that in late afternoons, she could smell foul odor which she believes is the dark smoke emitted from the factory’s smoke stack.
“Kada hapon gyud na, pwerteng kabaho. Unya og mohangad ka, makit-an na nimong itum kaayo nga aso gikan sa panghaw sa Bihonan (the name residents have given the factory,” Mariano said.
Mariano said it has been going on since last month, and she is worried of the hazards it poses to her family’s health, especially that her youngest daughter has been suffering from cough, which she believes was caused by the pollution.
Mariano’s neighbors also echoed her sentiments, and wished that the city government would do something about it.
“Mayta lagi aksyonan dayon ni sa gobyerno kay sa tinuod lang dugay na gyud ming nag-antos ani,” said Diosdado Saguinsaguin, 59.
When asked what the city would do about it, Councilor Bernard Odilao, chairman on committee on Environment, said the complainants should first submit a letter-complaint to his office and then the city would act on it.
Councilor Choy Aznar, chairman on health, also shared Odilao’s comment, saying they could not just outrightly make specific action to that case if there is no written complaint.
Reportedly, the factory uses tires and all sorts of combustible materials hence the dark smoke.
One factory worker told The FREEMAN that the neighbors are only getting a few percent of what they experience inside.
“Kung baho sa gawas, samot na sa sud. Pero antos na lang. Wa naman tay mahimo ana,” the worker said.
The source said their uniform would be covered with soot after work.
In 2008, residents of coastal sitio Asan, barangay Cansojong had aired the same complaints regarding the factory for allegedly releasing its wastewater to the seawaters.
According to them, the wastewater was not only greasy, it was also stinky.
The residents were afraid that if it would not be stopped, it would destroy the sea which is the source of their livelihood.
Allegedly, the factory released its wastewater to the open drainage that goes straight to sitio Asan.
The city government had investigated the case but it seemed that the practice was not stopped.
Mariano said that during heavy rains, the factory discharges its wastewater to all the connecting canals causing flood in the area.
Owners of the factory could not be reached for comment.