Provncial health execs declare: Panglao seawaters safe

TAGBILARAN CITY, Philippines — Coastal seawaters in this premier tourist town of Panglao in Bohol are safe for bathing or swimming, according to the initial findings revealed during the Provincial Board’s health committee meeting.

The meeting, presided over by PB Member Romulo Cepedoza, was prompted after PB Member Dionisio Victor Balite disclosed in his privilege speech that his children and his visitors were afflicted with unknown water contamination following their taking a bath off coastal Barangay Doljo in Panglao recently to celebrate his son’s birthday.

It was not determined however if what looked like rashes on the mid-section of his son’s body after he took a swim in that beach were caused by jelly fish’s sting. After what happened to his family, Balite lamented: “Sad to say after a day or two, the visitors and my kids had fever and itchiness.”

Balite was apprehensive that what happened to his children “are the effects probably in the seas of Doljo, Panglao.” He also expressed concern over what will happen to tourists coming to Bohol following the closure of Boracay.

Provincial government health consultant Dr. Cesar Tomas Lopez bared during the meeting that the two of the 10 coastal areas earlier identified as having high coliform contamination are now safe.

Amorita Cliff, along Barangay Tawala beach stretch, and Lost Horizon in Barangay Danao have passed the May sampling and laboratory test. These two areas had higher than tolerable safety standards during the April  sampling and lab test.

Arsenio Torrejos, in-charge of the Septage Laboratory of the Provincial Health Office, said his office conducts regularly (monthly) water sampling and lab test. But these tests may not be final since it is the Environmental Management Bureau of the DENR that is in-charge of this, he said.

The PHO also said others that have passed the “bacteriological examination” are the coastal waters off Dumaluan 1 and II in Barangay Bolod; the Alona Tropical and Alona Kew in Barangay Tawala; Bohol Divers and Linaw Beach Resort in Barangay Danao; and the Bellevue Resort and Muro Ami Beach Resort in Doljo.

These findings are contained in a report — dated June 6, 2018 and signed by Torrejos and PHO head Reymoses Cabagnot — that was submitted to Governor Edgar Chatto, and stating that the samples were collected from 10 sampling sites pre-identified by the DEBR-EMB.

PB Member Elpidio Jala, for his part, wanted that other areas be included in the investigation of seawater contamination.

“Considering that there are other venues or seas where many are taking a bath daily, I suggest that those places will also be included in the investigation of the committee on health and environment, including the beaches in Anda, Loay, and Baclayon,” said Jala, whose family is running a beach resort at Barangay Villalimpia in Loay town.

The untreated waste water due to adequate effective disposal system threatens the very health of the people and environment from which the rapidly booming tourism industry of this town, largely depend on, he said.

The untreated waste water from mostly beach resorts has compounded with the questionable carrying capacity of this island and absence of tourism master plan of this island comprising the towns of Panglao and Dauis, provincial officials added. (FREEMAN)