Bataan coal plant blamed for suffocating ashfall

The municipality of Limay, Bataan, lies coated in layers of suffocating white ash allgedly from a nearby coal plant.

The ash has found its way into everything, from crops and soil to inside houses and even into peoples' food, residents told GMA's 24 Oras. They have also been complaining of cough and asthma, and itchiness from all the ash.

"Kakain kayo ng pagkain, puro abo. Mkakakain ka ba ng maayos? New Year na New Year, abo!" said one resident.

Some may still recall the heavy ashfall that turned the countryside powder-white after Mount Pinatubo erupted in 1991, but this time the ash blanket seems to have come from a man-made source.

Residents point to a nearby coal processing facility as the origin of the ashfall, which has plagued Limay daily since December 26.

Official complaints have been met with little if no compliance, according to them.

This has prompted concerned citizens to demand relocation and due compensation.

"Tamang relokasyon with compensation. Kung ano yung naaayon sa batas, dapat yun ang ibigay nila sa mga naninirahan dito na apektado ng matinding polusyon," said Daisy Pedranza, vice president of Limay Concerned Citizens, Inc.

The Environmental Management Bureau has sent experts to assess the situation, but the results of the tests may take up to a week. 

The administrators of the coal plant could not be reached for comment. –TJD, GMA News