Navotas residents complain over thick, black smoke from crematorium

Some residents have complained of the thick, black smoke billowing from a crematorium in Navotas City, which included deceased COVID-19 patients.

A netizen uploaded a video of the smoke which appeared to be a huge fire from an establishment, according to a "24 Oras" report by Saleema Refran on Friday.

Uploader Queen Khylly said her family had been dealing with the smoke since March.

"Sobra po talaga 'yung lakas ng pagbuga ng usok nila. Siyempre alam naman  nating lahat na mas delikado 'yun na masinghot ng mga tao. Since kami malapit, lagi namin siyang nalalanghap. Lately, lalo ngayon meron tayong COVID na problema ngayon tapos ang daming sinusunog," the uploader said.

Residents are worried about their health.

"Tulong lang po, tulungan nila kami na hindi namin laging masinghot dahil ang dami pong patay eh na sinusunog. Kada maaamoy takbo na kami, nagsasara kami ng bintana," Khylly added.

Dr. Christia Padolina, City Health Officer of Navotas, said that according to health protocols, the smoke emitted should be odorless.

"Wala pong transmission noong COVID through particulate matter. So far ang transmission that is being put forth is either droplets spread and airborne but not from small substances," Padolina however explained.

Authorities from crematory of the Navotas Public Cemetery, which is owned by the city of Navotas, admitted that black smoke was being emitted, depending on the size of the materials burned and how they were wrapped.

"Marami pong mantika, mausok po talaga 'pag may mantika. Pero 'pag maliit naman po ang katawan wala po siyang mantika, walang usok," Nestor Perma, crematory operator, said.

The crematory has only one operating machine, which already burned 330 bodies since March, where 84 were confirmed to have COVID-19.  In May, it had to be tended due to technical malfunctions.

COVID-19 cases have increased in some communities of Barangay San Jose, an area near the crematory.

"Ang barangay po nag-imbestiga, hindi naman po 'yung usok na parang tumagal. Hindi naman po gagawin ng lokal na pamahalaan kung 'yan po ay makakapagperhuwisyo," Brgy. San Jose Chairman Ernan Perez said.

"There is strict adherence to protocol that we need to comply. Otherwise as the city health officer ako na ho unang magsasabi na nandito sa Navotas na may mali," Padolina said, as she assured residents of the proper implementations of protocols. —Jamil Santos/LDF, GMA News