BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL G. BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – The provincial government of Negros Occidental is on the lookout for cholera and other water-borne diseases.
This comes after Bacolod City was placed on “alert status” after reporting a cholera case over the weekend.
Provincial administrator Atty. Rayfrando Diaz said they are especially concerned about the province’s water sources, pointing out that most areas of the province are still relying on open wells for their water needs.
Diaz said these open wells can easily get contaminated, especially during times of heavy downpours and subsequent flooding.
“Damo areas diri that are still relying on open wells, and kung dira ang sources sang aton drinking and cooking water, then dako man ang possibility nga ma-contaminate ang aton ilimnon kag pagkaon,” Diaz said.
He reminded the 31 local government units (LGUs) in the province to strictly enforce a zero-open defecation policy in order to combat cholera and other water-borne diseases.
Diaz also emphasized the importance of the Provincial Integrated Water Security Council Organizational Meeting held last Friday, Sept. 16, wherein they approved the Negros Occidental Provincial Integrated Water Security Plan (PIWSP).
He said establishing the PIWSP would help organize the state of the province’s water supply and sanitation and, in turn, could minimize or even eradicate any water-borne diseases.
“Last year pa kita nagsugod, subong ga-touchbase na kita sa mga localities,” Diaz pointed out.
He exemplified Sipalay City, wherein the province handed over a P15-million sewage treatment plant.
Diaz also affirmed that Sipalay City experienced several cases of water-borne diseases about three months ago and suspected it was cholera. However, the provincial government was able to contain the cases before it worsens.
In response to the Bacolod City Health Office’s (CHO) decision to place the city under an “alert status,” the provincial administrator said he backs the CHO’s position.
To recall, CHO Environment Sanitation Division chief Dr. Grace Tan said they documented one confirmed cholera case in the city last Friday.
A 37-year-old female was confined at the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital (CLMMRH) due to severe dehydration caused by several episodes of watery stool and vomiting.
The patient was discharged after five days, Tan added.
The CHO reminds the public to use clean, potable water for drinking and domestic use.
“Get water for drinking only from water refilling stations with updated bacteriological monitoring of their water and permits,” Tan stressed.
She added, “Ensure that water pipes or hoses from the water facility (PrimeWater) have no holes or bandages as contamination may seep in.”
Tan further said that if water for domestic use is sourced from a deep well, whether by hand pump or timba, ensure that water plates are not broken; washing, bathing or laundry should be done away from the source.
She also reminded people to wash their hands with soap and water before and after eating, preparing food, and caring for the sick; using the toilet; washing or cleaning babies, adults, and pets; coughing and sneezing; and feeding the baby.
The CHO is continuing to monitor cases (from the community and hospitals), taking into account the clustering of cases in a specific area or barangay.
They also conduct water sampling and send these samples to appropriate laboratories; health education; and make recommendations and encourage their implementation, especially with health and sanitation through the sanitation inspectors./PN
