Pacquiao raises need to address water, sanitation problems in evacuation areas

FILE PHOTO: Senator Manny Pacquiao. INQUIRER

MANILA, Philippines — Presidential aspirant Sen. Manny Pacquiao warned of a looming outbreak of water-borne and sanitation-related diseases in areas hit by Typhoon Odette because of the lack of sanitation and proper waste disposal as he vowed to bring in “portalets” and water filtration systems to avert this.

Poor sanitation especially the improper disposal of human wastes can cause diseases as cholera, diarrhea, dysentery, hepatitis A, typhoid, and even polio, Pacquiao said.

According to Pacquiao, there are pieces of information reaching him that many people in some areas hit by Odette are desperate for water that they drink even from untreated sources including waterways that are also used for washing and bathing.

Pacquiao said that he is already scouting for suppliers for water filtration systems that can be tapped into untreated water sources to provide clean and potable water to evacuation centers and communities that have difficulties in sourcing their drinking water.

Pacquiao said that it is also very important that evacuation centers would require the use of portalets to ensure the efficient collection of human wastes. He said that improper disposal of human excreta can pose serious health hazards not only to  people in the evacuation centers but also to their surrounding communities.

“Ayon sa mga ulat ng ating mga teams na nasa ground para magbigay ng mga relief ay may mga lugar daw na napahirap talaga ang tubig kaya kung saan-saan na lang sila kumukuha ng pang-inom. Kung saan-saan na lang din daw nagbabawas ang ilan lalong-lalo na yung bata dahil limited lang naman ang mga toilets. Kailangang masolusyunan agad ito dahil maaaring mas malala ang magiging problema natin kapag dumami ang mga magkakasakit dahil sa maduming inumin at maduming kapaligiran,” Pacquiao said.

Pacquiao said that the best option to solve this sanitation problem is to provide the evacuation centers and the affected communities with easy-to-transport and easy-to-assemble toilet systems that also allow proper disposal of wastes.

Pacquiao said that he is now discussing details for the procurement of these portable toilet systems that use chemicals to treat human wastes and turn them into harmless and odorless organic materials.

“ We are now negotiating to procure these portalet systems. These portalets will not just provide a sense of privacy and security for the people, especially the women but these will also contribute a lot in ensuring the sanitation of our evacuation centers and nearby communities,” Pacquiao said.

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JPV