Fish kill odor forces 2 schools to suspend classes

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — Foul odor coming from a fish kill in a creek in this city forced at least two schools to suspend classes Monday.

The administration of Jose Montelibano Elementary School and St. Joseph High School-La Salle in Brgy. Villamonte decided to suspend their classes due to a foul odor coming from Cabacawan Creek that made some students dizzy.

Last Friday, residents of Barangays Estefania, Villamonte and Montevista had complained about the foul odor caused by a fish kill.

The Estefania Barangay Council also approved a resolution Monday requesting the city government to expedite the investigation on the incident.

Barangay Chairperson Elsie Valenzuela said they collected 15 sacks of dead ‘janitor’ fishes from the creek Saturday morning, and then conducted a clean-up in the area yesterday (Tuesday).

Mayor Evelio Leonardia has directed the City Health Office and all concerned agencies to investigate the reported fish kill and to implement measures to correct the situation.

City Health Officer Salome Biñas said their team inspected the Cabacawan Creek starting from Brgy. Villamonte going to Brgy. Granada and they discovered many dead fish in the creek.

Estefania Councilman Jerry Tingson said they are looking into the possibility that a poultry farm in the area could be responsible for disposing harmful chemicals into the creek. (FREEMAN)