DOH: No reports of any diseases linked to water shortage

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) assured on Monday that there have been no reports of any diseases related to the water shortage.

“There has been no report of any disease, epidemic or outbreaks on account of water shortage,” DOH Secretary Francisco Duque said during the hearing of the House of Representatives’ Metro Manila development committee.

Duque said the health agency has already taken steps to ensure the safety of the water supply coming from treatment facilities.

“We have activated the DOH water assay system. Precisely, we are afraid that because even if Manila Water supply comes from a treatment facility, it’s supposed to be safe, but the transfer of water from the supply to the different tankering interventions or trucks might open to contamination the water that is being supplied,” Duque said.

“Meron po tayong sistema, ina-assay na po natin ang mga tubig just to ensure that the water being supplied is safe and it is potable. So, we have been putting in place mechanisms to ensure no diseases, outbreaks,” he added.

The House panel is looking into the water service interruptions in some parts of Metro Manila and Rizal. /je