North Cotabato gov’t rations water after diarrhea outbreak

KIDAPAWAN CITY, North Cotabato, Philippines – The North Cotabato provincial government has implemented water rationing to 13 sitios (sub-villages) following the diarrhea outbreak that left eight people dead and more than 230 others hospitalized in four villages in Alamada, North Cotabato.

Dr. Eva Rabaya, head of the Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO)-North Cotabato, said containers filled with clean and safe water were distributed to residents in the affected villages to ensure bacteria-free drinking water.

Rabaya said water sources in these sub-villages were temporarily closed since most have become prone to bacteria contamination.

Villagers usually fetched drinking water from wells and springs.

“While waiting for the laboratory test results of water samples sent to Davao City, we recommended the temporary closures of all water sources in the affected villages,” Rabaya told reporters.

Rabaya added that the provincial government has commissioned the services of “habal-habal (passenger motorcycle)” drivers to fetch potable and safe water from water stations in the Alamada town proper.

Rabaya said the provincial government would also pay the hospital bills of all the patients.

Of the 231 people brought to the Alamada Provincial Community Hospital (APCH), at least 67 have been discharged.

The Sangguniang Bayan of Alamada has already declared a state of calamity, making its calamity funds available to provide the needs of the patients.

Barangay Dado, one of the affected villages, is home to the “Asik-Asik” waterfalls, which was temporarily closed to tourists following the outbreak.