LA TRINIDAD, Benguet (Feb. 8 ) — Benguet Governor Nestor Fongwan called for the validation of a recent research of an environmental group, which allegedly found that Benguet drinking water is contaminated with high levels of nitrate concentration.

Fongwan reacted to a national daily report quoting a Greenpeace research saying that 30% of artesian wells in Benguet are contaminated with nitrate levels above World Health Organization (WHO) safety standards caused by nitrogen-based fertilizer runoff. The same report said the level of nitrate found poses danger to health especially to children.

Fongwan said the report should be validated as it might affect the vegetable industry of the province.

He added the report gives Benguet vegetables a bad image.

Fongwan further said Greenpeace conducted tests only in some parts of the town of Buguias.

“Greenpeace should pinpoint the exact location of the artesian wells it tested because definitely it is not all of Buguias, much more the entire province,” Fongwan said.

The Greenpeace report also identified Bulacan in Central Luzon to have a dangerous nitrate level in its drinking water. # Kim Quitasol for NORDIS