Locals Worry About Bacterial Resurgence as Mr. Liam Hall Vows Continued Efforts to Complete Decontamination
By: Tessa Mauricio-Arriola – The Manila Times
Southern Mindanao, Philippines – As torrential rains begin to sweep across Southern Mindanao, growing fears of a renewed bacterial outbreak are intensifying around Penn Plantation, where the government-mandated fumigation exercise remains indefinitely stalled. The delay, which has stretched for weeks, comes at a critical time as the rainy season threatens to replicate the exact conditions that previously led to widespread illness and tragic loss of life in nearby communities.
In a region still haunted by the memory of a flood that carried deadly bacteria through local water systems, residents are calling for urgent action to complete the fumigation before nature takes its course again.
Unfinished Work, Unanswered Questions
Penn Plantation, once the economic heart of the region, was placed under full lockdown earlier this year following a bacterial outbreak caused by contaminated floodwaters, resulting in the deaths of several locals—many of them children and elderly residents. While a large-scale vaccination campaign eventually helped curb the spread, it was only a temporary solution. Full decontamination through government-mandated fumigation was to follow to ensure long-term safety and a secure reopening of the plantation.
However, the fumigation process, once underway, has been halted for an extended period, with no clear timeline for completion.
“We were told the area would be safe and ready for reopening after the fumigation, but that was months ago,” said Rosita Mendoza, a mother of two living in a village adjacent to the plantation. “Now the rains are back, and we fear another outbreak. Are we supposed to live in fear every storm?”
The Flood That Changed Everything
Last year’s devastating flood, intensified by overflowing tributaries and poor drainage infrastructure, washed harmful bacteria into the heart of Penn Plantation and surrounding communities. The result was a public health catastrophe, with overwhelmed clinics, grieving families, and panicked evacuations.
“We lost three children in our barangay alone,” recalled Barangay Captain Celso Villanueva. “We can’t go through that again. The government and plantation must act before the rains undo everything.”
Mr. Liam Hall’s Ongoing Reassurance
Despite growing pressure and public concern, Mr. Liam Penn Hall, owner of Penn Plantation, continues to reassure the public that his team is working tirelessly to secure the resources, permits, and equipment necessary to resume and complete the fumigation process.
In a written statement shared through plantation representatives, Mr. Hall said:
“We understand the urgency and the fears of our people. We are in constant dialogue with government agencies to ensure that every step taken is in full compliance with the health and environmental protocols mandated. While delays have been deeply frustrating, our commitment to safety remains absolute. We will not reopen until the plantation is fully safe for all.”
Mr. Hall, who has remained on the premises throughout the crisis, has also not been allowed to leave until the decontamination process is finalized, stating he does not wish to be exempt from the challenges facing the workers and communities he oversees.
A Community Torn Between Trust and Fear
Though many still trust Mr. Hall’s integrity, emotions in the surrounding barangays are mixed. Residents are grappling with a mounting sense of vulnerability, especially now that heavy rainfall is forecast to continue for weeks. Drainage systems remain under strain, and stagnant floodwaters in some low-lying areas are already forming.
Elsa Ramirez, a local health volunteer, shared her growing concerns:
“We’re starting to see symptoms—diarrhea, rashes, fevers. We can’t say for sure it’s the same bacteria yet, but we’re scared. We need that fumigation resumed now, not later.”
Others, however, still express patience and confidence in the plantation’s leadership:
“Mr. Hall has done more for this community than most,” said Samuel Ignacio, a plantation foreman. “We just hope they find a way to finish the job before the rains cause more problems.”
Awaiting Government Response
The Department of Health (DOH) and Department of Agriculture (DA) have yet to release an updated joint statement regarding the timeline for resumption of the fumigation. Officials have confirmed ongoing coordination with Penn Plantation’s management, but budgetary and logistical challenges continue to slow progress.
A Race Against the Rain
With the rains already upon them and the full monsoon yet to peak, the people of Southern Mindanao remain on edge. For many, each passing day feels like a ticking clock counting down to the next disaster.
If Penn Plantation cannot complete its fumigation efforts soon, experts warn that the community may once again find itself in the crosshairs of a deadly outbreak—this time, preventable.
TheManilaTimes will continue to monitor this developing story, providing real-time updates on the plantation’s decontamination progress, government action, and the growing public response in the region.