DENR probes death in Masbate mining operations

Submitted by Vox Bikol on Mon, 04/27/2009 - 12:32

Legazpi City (24 April) -- A joint investigating team composed of technical personnel from the Bikol regional offices of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) and Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) has investigated the death of two persons in Sitio Gintong Araw, Barangay Panique in Aroroy, Masbate.

Media reports as well as complaints from the next of kin of the victims prompted the DENR bureaus to investigate the death of siblings Romely and Ronalyn Danao, whose mother claimed that the source of potable water has become polluted caused by the operations of the Filminera Resources Corporation (FRC).

The investigating team conducted water sampling at source as well as four other sources of potable water in Barangays Capsay and Panique last March 19.

Personnel of the EMB and the DOH Bicol Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit Water analyzed the water samples and showed presence of E-coli bacteria.

Reports released last March 23 showed findings of the Aroroy municipal health office pointed out cardio respiratory arrest secondary to acute gastroenteritis with severe dehydration caused the death of the siblings.

Dr. Marilou A. Hernandez, Arorory municipal health officer, certified that the Danao sisters died last February 24, 2009 of severe dehydration secondary to diarrhea caused by drinking water contaminated with Fecal Coli form or E-Coli.

Dr. William Ecalnir of the Aroroy District Hospital, who was also interviewed by the investigating team, said the bacteria contaminated the water source and poor hygiene usually caused gastroenteritis, parasitism, infectious diarrhea leading to loose bowel movement and dehydration.

Ecalnir also said diarrhea and gastroenteritis are the most common illnesses attended to and treated in the district hospital.

Reports of the investigating team noted that the mother of the victims related her deceased children had diarrhea and were vomiting for almost three days after drinking water from the shallow well and were not given immediate medical treatment due to financial difficulties of the family.

Romelyn and Ronalyn's death could have been avoided if they were immediately brought to the hospital for treatment, stated the report. (DENR-MGB V/PIA)