DOH sets up field hospital in Obando, Bulacan amid Navotas landfill smog

The Department of Health (DOH) has set up a field hospital in Obando, Bulacan to closely monitor the residents' health amid the smog from the burning Navotas landfill.

According to Raffy Tima’s Thursday report on “24 Oras,” several evacuees immediately sought medical attention at a field hospital, including a baby who had to be nebulized due to difficulty breathing.

Residents of Barangays Binuangan and Salambao may be forced to evacuate if the situation worsens, as they are located over a kilometer from the Navotas landfill.

A cellphone video taken the day before showed thick smog, which poses health risks to the residents.

Resident Emerita dela Cruz said she and her family have been wearing masks even when sleeping since they can still smell the burning garbage.

Eighty-year-old Elena Flores said she would still choose to remain in her house rather than stay in a crowded evacuation center.

However, once the residents' blood test results show high toxin levels, a forced evacuation may be implemented.

Salambo Barangay Captain Mercy Dolorita admitted that they are not prepared in case residents need to be evacuated completely, as round 7,000 residents in the two neighboring barangays will be affected.

“Ang tanong, saan dadalhin yung tao? Pano gagawin namin kung lilikas. Ang dapat ho siguro bago isipin yung paglikas, isipin muna kung paano maapula yung apoy at yung usok,” Dolorita said.

(The question is, where will we relocate the people? What will we do if we are forced to evacuate? Before thinking about evacuation, we should first focus on how to put out the fire and smog.) — Mariel Celine Serquiña/BAP, GMA News