By LYN V. RAMO
www.nordis.net

BAGUIO CITY — The city council asked the Baguio Water District (BWD) to submit a complete report on the alleged contamination of a water source that has made at least 342 individuals in five barangays sick.

In its regular session Monday, the council approved the proposed resolution of Councilor Betty Lourdes F. Tabanda that also sought to identify measures to prevent similar instances of water contamination and diarrhea outbreak.

The five barangays affected by the alleged water contamination are Saint Joseph Barangay (78); M. Roxas (145); Imelda Village (62); Brookside (34); and East Modern Site (23).
Fourteen of the 342 victims were confined in different hospitals. Their ages ranged from two months to 81 years old.

The Baguio Health Department’s Health Services Unit conducted an investigation and rapid health assessment, which showed evidence of contaminated water” from the BWD pipeline.
Department of Health Regional Director Myrna Cabotaje, in a separate interview said while the water is chlorinated, the leak in sewer lines introduced coliform organisms usually from human feces.

“Normally, we can drink from the faucets,” she said.

Tabanda said there is a need to take all necessary precautions to contain the spread of gastroenteritis, not only in the five affected barangays but also in all of the 129 barangays of the city. # nordis.net