First Posted 08:27:00 10/25/2010
THE Department of Health (DOH) in Central Visayas will start this week its investigation of the ill effects of the coal ash dumping in Naga, Cebu.
DOH-7 regional director Susanna Madarieta ordered the probe after the DOH central office issued a memorandum in July enumerating the adverse effects of coal ash on human health.
Madarieta said that after the DOH issued the memo, health records of residents in areas in Naga and Toledo City where coal ash was dumped were monitored.
She said upper tract respiratory infections and diarrhea were found to be among the top causes of death in Naga and Toledo City, but the same pattern holds for areas without coal-fired power plants.
Environmental groups also want to participate in the investigation.
Lawyer Gloria Estenzo-Ramos, coordinator of the Philippine Earth Justice Center (PEJC) Inc. said the investigation should have multisectoral participation so all issues regarding coal ash would be addressed.
“We are interested to be part of the investigation,” Ramos said.
She added that the investigation team should have a representative from local government units, residents, environmentalists and the coal-fired power plants.
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