BY GLENDA TAYONA
ILOILO City – Following the increasing cases of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) and cholera in this city, Mayor Jerry P. Treñas has required all water refilling stations to submit to a mandatory water potability testing.
The city mayor yesterday issued Executive Order No. 054-2022 to this effect.
“The safety of the public is at stake here,” Treñas expressed.
AGE is defined as a disease state that occurs when food or water that is contaminated with pathogenic microorganisms (such as Clostridium perfringens, Vibrio cholera, E. coli,) or their toxins is consumed. Symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.
Based on the water tests conducted by the City Health Office (CHO), majority of the water refilling stations and deep wells in areas affected by AGE and cholera are positive for coliform and E. coli bacteria.
Dr. Marigold Calsas, chief of City Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit of the CHO, reported that of the 32 water refilling stations tested, four have been found positive for both E.coli and coliform and 14 are positive for coliform.
Meantime, of the 56 deep wells tested, 39 are positive for both E. coli and coliform while 15 are positive for coliform.
According to CHO head Dr. Annabelle Tang, all sources of water including bathhouses will also be tested.
Tang said those found positive for coliform and E. coli will undergo another test and if still positive, they have to do a total cleanup of their process especially in areas where there were lapses.
“It could be ang ila tubig contaminated, or ang tubig ya okay pero ang tangke basi contaminated,” she said.
She added, citing the mayor’s EO, those that will be found to have been contaminated and failed to comply with the business and sanitary permit requirements will face temporary closure for six months while complying the requirements.
As of yesterday, Treñas has already issued closure order to three water refilling stations namely Agua Vendita, Aquabest and CDI for operating without business permits which is a violation of Local Tax Ordinance 2007-016.
Earlier, the city mayor had also ordered the closure of several water refilling stations which failed to pass the water quality test.
“WHEREAS, due to this rapid increase in AGE cases, there is a need to revisit and heighten the sanitary measures particularly with all the water refilling stations in the city,” read part of Treñas’ EO.
Under the order, the submission of the water potability test should be done monthly and should be through accredited laboratories only.
A more frequent water potability testing may be required as may be determined by the CHO, it added.
Treñas also directed all punong barangays to strictly implement this order.
On the other hand, the city mayor issued another EO mandating all district health officers to ensure that all sanitary inspectors go around their respective jurisdiction to ensure that all water refilling stations are compliant with the requirements./PN
