ILOILO - Residents of Barangay Nipa in Concepcion, Iloilo were evacuated following fly ash leak from a coal-fired power plant last Sunday.

Operators of Palm Concepcion Power Corporation admitted they encountered a mechanical problem while the power plant was undergoing maintenance.

Residents later returned to their homes, but they complained the ash residue made them sick and covered their houses.

One of the residents, Delia Jaspe, experienced chest pain after inhaling fly ash. Some were brought to the rural health center for check-up.

The leak reportedly took place last Oct. 30 when residents saw clouds of smoke rising above from the power plant.

Engr. Martin Tambien, plant manager of Palm Concepcion Power Corporation, told ABS-CBN News they started cleaning up and repairing the facility last Oct. 22 as part of their annual preventive maintenance.

He said their filtration device where the fly ash was processed for disposal ran into a problem that led to the leak.

Tambien said they managed to troubleshoot the electrostatic precipitator in 30 minutes.

Residents told ABS-CBN News they will bring their concern to the municipal government and and demand compensation from the power plant for the leak.