MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Coast Guard sent off Monday a medical team to Romblon province to attend to the needs of San Fernando town residents who have fallen ill following the MV Princess of the Stars tragedy.
Radio dwIZ reported early Monday that the team, headed by Lieutenant Commander Ted Esguerra - himself a medical doctor - included doctors and nurses and brought several medicines with them.
The report said the team will focus on health concerns in San Fernando town, one of the areas hardest hit by the tragedy due to a fishing ban imposed on the area.
San Fernando Mayor Nanette Tansingco reported that several residents in her town had fallen ill since the imposition of the fishing ban, but she did not elaborate.
Tansingco also said they also expect medical teams from the Army, the World Health Organization and Department of Health to similarly deploy medical teams to the town as well and provide medical attention to local residents.
A team from the WHO and DOH is also due to arrive Tuesday at the site where the passenger vessel capsized to test the waters for contamination from endosulfan, a toxic pesticide.
The discovery of endosulfan aboard the capsized ship prompted the fishing ban in San Fernando town. - GMANews.TV