A resolution requesting the Bacolod City Health Office and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Office to conduct an inquiry on the reported ammonia leak from the San Miguel Brewery in Brgy. Granada, Bacolod City, was passed by the Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod recently.

Sixteen pupils of Patricia Homes Elementary School were hospitalized on August 28 after allegedly inhaling emanations from ammonia that leaked from the SMC brewery plant although they did not suffer serious conditions.

A school official said the company shouldered the hospitalization expenses of the children and provided transportation allowances for the parents.

Proposed by Councilor Catalino Alisbo, the resolution said a similar incident happened 17 years ago, the second on June 2001 where 19 students and two teachers were rushed to the SMC clinic for medical treatment, and the third on August 2004, affecting eight teachers and 14 students of the Don Generoso Villanueva High School.

It said the alleged ammonia leak of the SMC brewery, which endangered the lives of students and teachers of the Patricia Homes Elementary School and the Don Generoso Villanueva High School, is a clear violation of City Ordinance No. 313 Series of 2002 and is in disregard of public safety.

If the matter is not acted on immediately, this may cause the death of these students and teachers, the resolution added.*CGS

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