Cancer cases rise in Bislig

A church-backed multi-sectoral environmentalist group blamed a paper mill firm for alleged air pollution that contributes to increasing cancer cases in Bislig City, Surigao del Sur. Speaking to members of the House committee on natural resources on Friday in an inquiry on alleged air pollution in Surigao del Sur, Fr. Florio Falcon, chairman of the Kalihukang Bantay Kagubatan (movement to preserve forests), noted that the operation of the pulp and paper mill of PICOP Resources, Inc. might have contributed to rising cases of cancer and respiratory illness in the City. Falcon,who is also parish priest of Saint Vicent de Paul Parish in Barangay (village) Mangagoy, Bislig City, said "99% of our sick calls" in the last four months were lung cancer patients. He asked the committee headed by Butuan Rep. Leovigildo Banaag to impose sanction against the company for alleged violations of environmental laws. Falcon said his group had already submitted several complaints to former Environment Secretary Michael Defensor no action were made on them. The findings of the environmental health assessment study conducted by the Bislig City Health Office and university professors substantiated Falcon's allegations. The study dated December 2005 revealed that mortality of cancer in Bislig City has increased. It showed that "of the 10 leading causes of mortality in the city, cancer ranked 5th in 2000, 4th in 2001, 3rd in 2002. These type of cancer include lung, breast, liver, leukemia, gastric and urine, according to the study. Records at the City health office show there were 120 cancer cases in Mangagoy where the pulp and paper plant is located; 52 cases were recorded in the adjacent village of Tabon. GMANEWS.TV