Dead moss emits ‘sickening’ smell in Muntinlupa

Residents living along the coast of Laguna Lake have been reeling from a foul smell coming from water teeming with dead moss and algae.

As seen in an aerial shot, the coastal waters Barangay Bayanan, Muntinlupa City have turned bright green.   

According to Oscar Oida's report for 24 Oras on Thursday, the reeking odor has been troubling residents for almost a month.

Some believe it was actually making them sick. 

"Masakit sa tiyan, lagi ako kinakabag, tapos masama ang pakiramdam ko minsan sumasakit ang tiyan," Jennifer Salvatierra told GMA News.

According to the local health office, the smell may have been coming from the dying moss in the water.

"Bago mag-summer, dumadami na ang algae kasi natural phenomenon naman ito...Sa sobrang tag-init, sa panahon ngayon, ito ay unti-unting namamatay," Muntinlupa City Health Officer Dr. Maria Teresa Tuliao said.

"So pag namamatay, siya nag-e-emit ng certain odor parang nabubulok, so ito ang naaamoy ngayon ng mga tao sa Muntinlupa City," she explained.

Affected residents have been advised to wear masks, stay in well-ventilated areas and seek medical attention when necessary.

The report said the smell could trigger possible shortness of breath, coughing, asthma attacks and stomach aches.

"So ang advice natin diyan, pag nakakasama sa kanilang kalusugan, kailangan magpakonsulta sila kaagad sa ating health officer," Tuliao said.

The health office, however, clarified that the water coming from the taps was still safe to use.

"Ang tubig po sa Muntinlupa po ay safe...treated naman po siya ang Maynilad ay ginagawa naman ang kanilang trabaho sa pagfi-filter," Tuliao said.

The foul-smelling moss only adds to the symptoms of Laguna Lake's already-deteriorated state.

Maynilad said the increased amount of algae in the lake water clogs filters at water treatment plants, which often results in water interruption.

"Last week pa ho nag-aano na rin sila, how to clean it up, kaso napakalaki ng Laguna de Bay yun lang po ang kakayanin sa coastal area. Ang only solution for that us ma-wash out lahat yan malakas ng ulan," an officer from the Muntinlupa City public information office said.

"Wala, ho no choice eh, dito lami nakatira kaya magtitiis sa amoy," Salvatierra, who was living right on the coast, said. —LDF, GMA News