Responding to a longstanding request by an environmental advocacy group, the Department of Health-Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD) in Calabarzon has initiated an investigation into the escalating cases of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases in Batangas City.
Among the factors under scrutiny is the potential adverse impact of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) power plant emissions on the health of residents in five barangays within the local government unit.
Aiming to address the issue, DOH Calabarzon Regional Director Ariel Valencia conveyed that the investigation had been ordered by DOH Secretary Teodoro "Ted" J. Herbosa, prompted by an appeal made by cause-oriented groups. These groups had recently conducted a press conference in Manila and organized a protest outside the agency's premises.
Valencia explained that the investigation was launched to verify reports of a notable rise in cases of the mentioned diseases within the city, with the Philippine Movement for Climate Justice asserting that over 4,000 residents had been adversely affected.
The coalition, comprised of medical experts, legal professionals, affected community members, and concerned organizations, united to issue a plea on August 17, 2023. They urged the government, particularly the DOH, to declare a state of public health emergency in Batangas City.
Stemming from the necessity for the government agency to conduct an in-depth examination of the health implications of liquefied natural gas (LNG) exposure on residents in the five affected barangays, the coalition, led by the Philippine Movement for Climate Justice (PMCJ), launched a campaign.
Not just statistics
Ian Rivera, the national coordinator of PMCJ, emphasized, "The individuals affected are not just statistics; they are our relatives and fellow citizens. Even as respiratory distress silences them, we will amplify their voices."
The coalition highlighted that since 2021, more than 4,000 Batangas (city) residents have reportedly fallen victim to respiratory infections and cardiovascular issues attributed to the compromised air quality near fossil gas plants.
Currently, the Philippines hosts six operational LNG power plants, with five situated in Batangas. These facilities are located in the following communities: Ilijan, Malitam, Sta. Rita Karsada, Tabangao Ambulong, and Tabangao Aplaya.
The PMCJ emphasized that these communities have witnessed a surge in cases of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases due to their proximity to the LNG power plants.
City Health Office personnel collaborated with a DOH investigation team, which included members from the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction Management in Health (DRRM-H), Regional Epidemiology Surveillance Unit (RESU), and the Non-Communicable Disease Cluster led by Dr. Voltaire Guadalupe.
No conclusive evidence
Based on initial findings obtained through communication with the City Health Office, the team stated, "There is currently no conclusive evidence linking the health issues directly to power plant operations."
However, the team pledged to further scrutinize relevant documents such as baseline data on air and water quality, in addition to evaluating the health conditions of the affected communities.
DOH's investigative team also engaged with Batangas City Mayor Beverley Rose A. Dimacuha-Mariño and visited power plants in two barangays within the city.
Yet, as early as January 2023, the Batangas City health office released an official statement indicating no definitive proof or data connecting LNG/fossil gas power plants to the residents' illnesses in the city.
Although the PMCJ acknowledged DOH's investigation as a positive step, it expressed concerns over potential bias in the Batangas probe.
While commending DOH's action, the PMCJ noted that it came after considerable delay, despite the group's complaint filed in January. The urgency was further emphasized by a follow-up statement from concerned groups, particularly medical professionals, on the surge of diseases on August 17, 2023.
The PMCJ criticized Valencia's statement on August 18, interpreting it as a potential indication of a biased investigation. Valencia was quoted as saying, "Based on the pooled data of morbidity and mortality cases from the city health office, we have not yet identified any link to power plant operation."
The PMCJ questioned the assertion, highlighting that the Batangas City Health Office's own data showed spikes in reported diseases in the barangays hosting gas projects.
As such, the coalition urged for an unbiased and independent investigation and called on Health Secretary Ted Herbosa to formalize the investigation through a memorandum.
Furthermore, the coalition insisted that a national task force should be assigned to the investigation. They also raised concerns over the alleged withholding of 2017-2021 data on the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the affected barangays. This data was reportedly sent to the PMCJ Office on October 24, 2022. (IAm/OpBats)
Responding to a longstanding request by an environmental advocacy group, the Department of Health-Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD) in Calabarzon has initiated an investigation into the escalating cases of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases in Batangas City.
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