‘Uling’ workers endure hazardous conditions as they live near charcoal plant

Nerissa Avila and her husband, who are “mag-uuling” in Catmon, Malabon, are enduring hazardous conditions not only at work but also at home.

According to a “24 Oras” report Tuesday, their family home is just across from the charcoal plant, where they are exposed to black smoke all day.

“Sa hirap ng mag-uuling, talagang sakripisyo ang kalusugan ng pangangatawan lalo na ang kalusugan ng mga anak,” said Nerissa.

[Our job as charcoal workers is hard. We have to sacrifice not only our health but also our children’s.]

Apart from the smoke, Nerissa works under the heat of the sun, which sometimes make her feel unwell.

However, she could not seek medical assistance because the PHP1,000 she earned every week was not enough and she would rather spend it on their household needs.

“Ang ginagawa namin, kalma, pahinga saglit, tapos balik na lang po ulit sa trabaho,” she said.

[What we do is just calm down, rest for a bit, then return to work.]

Nerissa and her husband were among the 100 mag-uuling in Catmon who received assistance from GMA Kapuso Foundation.

Apart from receiving food packs, hygiene kits, and vitamins, they got free medical consultation and underwent tests including electrocardiogram, lipid profile, and fasting blood sugar.

GMA Kapuso Foundation is accepting donations through bank deposits, Cebuana Lhuillier, Shopee, GCash, PayMaya, Zalora, MegaMart, Globe Rewards, Metrobank credit card, and Lazada.

For more information, visit the GMA Kapuso Foundation website. – Franchesca Viernes/RC, GMA News