By Rjay Zuriaga Castor
A city councilor has called for stricter monitoring of water plants and water refilling stations, citing concerns over a rise in acute gastroenteritis (AGE) cases in Iloilo City.
During its regular session on Wednesday, the City Council passed two resolutions in response to the spike in AGE cases.
The first resolution urges the City Health and Sanitation Office to strictly regulate water plants and refilling stations.
The second requested water distributors to explain their recent boil water advisory.
“AGE occurs through a contaminated water source or unsanitary food preparation. This may cause dehydration, which can lead to complications like acute kidney injury and may be fatal,” said Councilor Candice Magdalene Tupas in a privilege speech.
“We have ordinances connected to water intake, and we also have industries equipped with drinking water,” she added.
The City Health Office’s September data recorded 408 AGE cases, with 10 fatalities and 398 recoveries.
Tupas’ speech followed a personal experience when her daughter fell ill with AGE after consuming juice at a wedding in Arevalo.
Despite her earlier precaution to avoid water served at the event, her daughter experienced severe vomiting, resulting in a trip to the emergency room, where she was diagnosed with AGE.
Tupas emphasized the need to address water safety, particularly with the growing number of tourists in the city.
She questioned whether free filtered water served in restaurants, as mandated by a city ordinance authored by Councilor Ely Estante, remains safe amid rising concerns.
Tupas also suggested passing an ordinance requiring ice plants to conduct regular water testing, stressing that ice products should meet the same safety standards as drinking water.
Regarding the Metro Pacific Iloilo Water (MPIW) boil water advisory, the councilor questioned why such a measure is necessary when water distributors should be supplying safe, potable drinking water to consumers.
South Balibago Water Resources, Inc. (SBRI) was also called upon to ensure the safety of its distributed water.
MPIW recently issued an advisory urging customers to boil their water before drinking or cooking, following concerns about potential contamination.
The advisory followed annual preventive maintenance conducted by one of MPIW’s suppliers, Flo Water Resources.
MPIW explained that maintenance could cause back pressure and back-siphonage, potentially allowing contaminants to enter the water supply through cracks or pipe joints.
“Water should be brought to a vigorous, rolling boil for one minute and then cooled before using. Boiling kills bacteria and other organisms in the water. Boiling water is a standard procedure,” the firm explained.
Tupas advised the public to dry dishes before use and to carry their own water bottles when going out.
