FLASH REPORT: Ilang residente sa Brgy. New Lower Bicutan, Taguig City, inilikas dahil sa ammonia leak sa isang ice plant. | via Mao dela Cruz pic.twitter.com/EJUme0ZBqa
— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) September 25, 2023
Some people were brought to the hospital after an ammonia leak in an ice plant in Barangay New Lower Bicutan, Taguig City on Monday, a barangay official said.
In an interview with Super Radyo dzBB’s Mao dela Cruz, Barangay Kagawad Otan Cuevas said the ammonia leak started at around 7 a.m.
“Pinalilikas na po natin dahil advice din po ng Bureau of Fire Protection na ilikas ang nakapaligid na residente po rito. Wala na rin pong tao doon sa planta. Pinaalis na rin po,” he said.
(Residents around the areas were evacuated as advised by the Bureau of Fire Protection. There are no more people in the ice plant. They were asked to leave.)
“Meron po ilang hindi kinaya ang amoy at tinakbo po ng ambulansya ng Barangay New Lower Bicutan [Some could not handle the smell of ammonia and were rushed to the hospital],” he added.
Ten people are currently under observation at the hospital, according to Emil Sumangil’s report on 24 Oras.
“Bago pa man ho mag liwanag, naramdaman na namin, masakit sa hininga. Nagluluha mga mata,” said resident Meinard Lopez.
(Before the sun rose, we were already feeling it—pain while breathing, tearing of the eyes.)
Some nearby streets and establishments were closed due to the leak. In a statement, the Taguig City government said classes at R.P. Cruz Elementary School were suspended at around 8 a.m. to ensure the safety of the students.
The Taguig government also said the City Social Welfare and Development Office helped in transferring affected residents to the designated evacuation site at Hagonoy Gymnasium.
The BFP said the ammonia leak was contained at 8:51 a.m. and that the valve was finally shut at around noontime.
Taguig CDRRMO head Dr. Jun Sy said that employees are not yet allowed to return to the plant.
“Hindi pa pwedeng bumalik actually ang mga empleyado natin, kadalasan, mga 24 hours… to 36 hours para mawala ang kemikal,” Sy said.
(The employees may not come back yet. It often takes 24 to 36 hours for the chemicals to dissipate.) — Joviland Rita/RSJ/KBK/BM, GMA Integrated News
