KALIBO, Aklan -– The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) expressed concern over a possible disaster coming if the weather will not favor the province in its clearing and rehabilitation operation after the devastation of typhoon Frank.
During the Provincial Disaster and Coordinating Council (PDCC) meeting here, Provincial Environment Officer Raoul Lorilla said the amount of mud and water could still be possibly trapped in the hinterlands which could be dangerous to the province if it releases its force.
"Based on our assessment, the mud now covering Kalibo and nearby Numancia because of typhoon Frank was caused by another natural dam that nature created. The Aklan River is still brownish indicating a possibility that there is still a natural dam in the hinterlands that needs to be released," Lorilla said.
The DENR and the Aklan provincial government have recently requested the Philippine Air Force (PAF) to possibly monitor the situation in the hinterlands of Libacao and Madalag but this did not produce positive result because of poor visibility.
"We have again requested the PAF to do another round of monitoring in the hinterlands of Libacao and Madalag within this week," Lorilla said.
Meanwhile, aside from environmental concerns, the Department of Health also expressed alarm on the number of suspected leptospirosis and tetanus cases in the province.
"Based on our report, at least three persons died of suspected leptospirosis while 45 more victims suspected of the disease were reported. We ask the public to be health conscious and to protect themselves from possible injuries," said Provincial Health Officer Dr. Myrtle Pelayo.
Pelayo said that health concerns and fear of possible disease outbreak would remain in Aklan unless proper disposal of wastes and potability of water especially in Kalibo are normalized.
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