Pampanga, Ozamiz residents concerned as waterways turn red

Residents of Candaba, Pampanga on Tuesday expressed concern after the water on one of the irrigation systems in the area turned red, according to Mariz Umali’s report on “24 Oras.”

“Pagpunta namin doon sa patubig, parang nakita namin merong nagbanlaw. Kasi merong nagbanlaw kasi meron na nung Sabado,” Benito Desagon, a barangay kagawad, said.

The Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO) was monitoring the area. Authorities, however, had yet to identify the source of the red water.

The MENRO also expressed concern that the red water may negatively affect the plantations, especially if it was caused by a chemical.

A sea of red water also greeted residents of Ozamiz City on Sunday.

Residents said they noticed the change in the color of the water at around 3 p.m. It also emitted a foul odor.

Meanwhile, operatives of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) immediately examined the water.

“Posibleng mataas ang nitrates or phosphates dito sa area na naka-contribute sa pagdami nila at ‘pag may excessive na sunlight, nakaka-contribute din ‘yan sa pagdami,” Rey Eduardo Hojas, BFAR-10 OIC, said.

The BFAR advised residents to avoid touching and entering the water while the investigation is ongoing. — Joahna Lei Casilao/DVM, GMA News