Municipal officials inspected a portion of the shoreline in Barangay Talabaan Proper in the Occidental Mindoro town of Mamburao on Sunday, Oct. 4, after residents reported a foul smell that had persisted for nearly two weeks.
Residents said the odor became noticeable after weeks of rain brought by the southwest monsoon.
During the inspection, officials found stagnant water along the shoreline, apparently caused by sand and other materials blocking the natural flow of water.
Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Officer Aris Ramos said the odor may have come from decaying grass, coral, leaves and other organic materials buried under sand deposited along the shore by strong waves.
The municipal government plans to use a payloader or backhoe to clear the blockage and restore water flow.
Mayor Glicerio Almero III led the inspection with disaster risk reduction, health, veterinary and environment officials, as well as police and barangay officials. The team also used a drone to survey the area for other possible sources of the odor.
Almero urge residents and barangay officials to continue monitoring the shoreline and report any changes to the municipal government.