NEWSFLASH

TOXIC WASTE MARKS CLARK EVACUATION CENTER OFF-LIMITS

Clark Field, Feb. 28, 2000 Health Secretary Alberto Romualdez, Jr. wants the evacuation center inside Clark Field cordoned off and declared unfit for human habitation because of the danger of ailments caused by toxic and chemical wastes left behind by the US Air Force in the former American base.

Romualdez also urged the Mount Pinatubo evacuees to leave the area.

Earlier, the Mount Pianatubo Commission announced the closure of the Clark Evacuation Center at the former Clark Air Base Command area.

Artaserxes Sampang, commission executive director, said the evacuation center will be permanently closed as temporary shelter for victims of the 1991 Pinatubo eruption and the resulting lahar floodings.

The evacuation center was the main motor pool of the US 13th Air Force when the base was still under the US military.

The commission reported that only 205 families still live at the evacuation center.

“The evacuees have requested the commission to allow them to stay until March, so as not to disrupt their children’s schooling,” the commission reported.