Blasting of Mountain in Subic Bay causing Asthma among children

Sitio Nagyantok, SBMA. Poor children of this island community inside the Subic Bay Metropolitan Area are suffering from asthma from massive explosion of red soil coming from blasting operations in the mountain just beside this community.

Parents of these children ages 2-10 brought to the attention of Zambales vice governor Ramon G. Lacbain II their complaints during the medical-dental-legal mission organized by vice governor Lacbain for this community last april 9, 2006 and sponsored by the Rotary Club of Downtown Olongapo, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, the Zambales War Against Poverty Foundation and Zambales Vice Governor's Office.

Among the affected children with asthma include - Jermaine Meniable, 10; Ma. Shaira Paclipan, 7; Juvan Ray Paclipan, 4; Janna Mae Zerrudo, 5; Jomarie Zerrudo, 2; John Phel Patigdas, 8; Lion Mel Duran, 2; Helen Grace Husayan, 2; Darius Morano, 2; Charbelita Bais, 6; Chardelyn Bais, 10; Kurt Oliver Caboquin, 10.

Jevani Paclipan and Marinela Caboquin told vice governor Lacbain that since the blasting operations started all their children are now affected with asthma so they are appealing for the immediate stoppage of the blasting operations to quarry sand and stones for the Subic Port Development Project inside the SBMA area. They are appealing for medical support for their sick children.

"Bago po nila sinimulan ang quarrying dyan sa bundok sabi nila sasagutin nila kung anuman ang maging problema namin subalit ngayon nagkakasakit na ang mga anak namin pero wala naman kaming maasahan na tulong sa kanila. Pag may blasting po dyan sa tabi ng bundok ay hindi namin alam kung saan namin itatago ang mga anak namin sa tindi ng alikabok sa buong paligid namin. Namumula po kaming lahat dito dahil sa lupang bundok", according to parents Jevani Paclipan and Marinela Caboquin of affected children.

Vice Governor Lacbain said, "I will personally verify whether this quarry operations has permit from the either the provincial environment and natural resources office and the ecology center of SBMA. I will also coordinate with the Presidential Commission on the Urban Poor to personally hear the sentiments of the whole community to find out how their medical assistance can be extended.

We have already established one small community pharmacy called Botika Natin sa Nayon in this community to bring miraculously priced generic medicines we will also immediately secure nebulizing machines and hoses for the use of children and adults affected with asthma".

The result of medical examinations conducted by the doctors during the said medical mission of the Rotary Club of Downtown Olongapo in this community inside the SBMA area reveals that a lot of children are suffering from malnutrition and gastro-intestinal deseases aside from asthma.