Two areas in Panglao fail in water lab tests

CEBU, Philippines — Two areas in Panglao Island of Bohol were proven “unsafe for swimming,” based on the latest laboratory test results conducted by the Provincial Health Office (PHO) Water Laboratory.

The monthly sampling was conducted on April 24 by the Environment Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and the PHO, covering 10 sampling sites spanning from Dumaluan Beach at Barangay Bolod up to the Muro Ami portion of Barangay Doljo in Panglao.

The 10 sampling sites were Dumaluan Beaches I and II in Bolod; Amorita Cliff, Alona Tropical (fronting restaurant), and Alona Kew in Tawala; Lost Horizon, Bohol Divers Resort, and Linaw Beach Resort in Danao; and Bellevue and Muro Ami Beach Resort in Doljo.

The report — signed by PHO Septage Lab in-charge Arsenio Torrejos and noted by PHO chief Reymoses Cabagnot — was submitted to Governor Edgar Chatto, who ordered the tests to ensure public health.

Of the 10 sites, Amorita Cliff and Lost Horizon failed in the bacteriology examination. Torrejos explained that they tested all the areas based on two parameters: Total coliform and fecal coliform. The samples were collected early in the morning on testing date, which he said is the best time to collect water samples.

In the PHO water lab standard, the limit for total coliform is 1,000 mpn (most probable number) per 100 ml of the sample and 100mpn/100 ml for fecal coliform. Torrejos explained that mpn is the unit used in microbiological analysis, considering the microscopic size of bacteria.

Torrejos said PHO results showed that the Amorita area passed the total coliform test with only 172 mpn/100ml, but it failed in the fecal coliform test, having 109mpn/100ml. He explained that the PHO medical technologist would mark as “failed” if one of the two parameters is not met.

Torrejos also noted that in the first sampling that they did, the total coliform test on Alona Tropical area, fronting the restaurant, showed 2,000mpn/100ml.

However, at that time, they could not pinpoint as to the exact source of the contamination, considering the Amorita nearby, the Alona Tropical and Hennan, in addition to the pump boats in the vicinity.

For the Lost Horizon area, the samples passed the total coliform test, but failed in the fecal coliform test. Torrejos explained though that, if there is a difference between the result from the PHO and that from the EMB-7, it is the EMB-7 results that prevail. The PHO sampling is just for counterchecking purposes, he said.

PHO consultant Yul Lopez, however, explained that what had been released on Friday was the laboratory results from the PHO water laboratory, while the EMB-7 group, under Regional Director William Cuñado, has yet to release its findings.

While the EMB-7 report carries the official result, the PHO report is the unofficial report, although the water samples were collected simultaneously by the two groups on the same time from each site. Yet, it may be possible that PHO results may differ from that of the EMB’s, Lopez added. (FREEMAN)