Priest wants to discuss miracle water with Palma

CEBU, Philippines – The chief inquirer of the Archdiocesan Committee on Extraordinary Phenomena intends to bring to the attention of Archbishop Jose Palma the water flowing near the chapel Barangay Basak - Pardo in Cebu City that residents believe is 'miraculous'.

Msgr. Vicente Rey Penagunda told The Freeman he plans to bring the matter to Palma's attention during their meeting tomorrow, August 2.

"There will be a meeting this week and maybe include it in the agenda, maybe we will be discussing about it. Hopefully, we will be responding to it, but if not, I will approach the Archbishop and ask for his opinion," he said.

As of yesterday, Palma has not given instruction to investigate.

"There is no instruction yet by the Archbishop to investigate. For now, there is still no investigation," Penagunda said yesterday.

Residents in the area and even people from other barangays have started to flock Sitio Laguna where the chapel of Señor San Roque is situated, bringing with them containers in which to store the flowing water.

While efforts are underway to determine the real source of the water, barangay and city officials have discouraged people from drinking the water because it might pose a health risk.

Dr. Alma Corpin, officer-in-charge of the city health department, told The Freeman that some water can contain nitrate, bacteria or any contaminants at levels which cannot be smelled or tasted, but which can be hazardous to health.

"People should be extra careful in what they consume or drink. We don't know the water has the presence of bacteria that can cause infectious diarrhea or any water-borne disease," she said.

City health officials have taken samples and results of the test are expected to be announced today.

"We examined the water sample we got from the area to check if the water is safe for drinking," Corpin said.

The Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD) is now helping trace the source of the water and has sent a team to take samples.

Initial findings showed traces of chlorine, which means the water may just have come from a water pipe that is leaking and not from a natural source. MCWD itself uses chlorine to ensure that its water is safe to drink. —/JMO (FREEMAN)