Diarrhea downs 85 in North Cotabato; contaminated well blamed

A deep well being constructed in a rural area in the Philippines. CEBU DAILY NEWS FILE PHOTO

KIDAPAWAN CITY, North Cotabato – At least 85 residents of a lumad community in a remote village in Magpet town in North Cotabato fell ill with suspected diarrhea believed to have been caused by contaminated drinking water.

Mayor Florenito Gonzaga said the residents of Barangay Don Panaca on Saturday morning complained of experiencing loose bowel movement, stomach pain and vomiting, the usual symptoms of diarrhea.

Gonzaga said most of the victims were Manobo lumad.

Some of the victims are still confined at the Cotabato Provincial Hospital (CPH) in Barangay Amas here, while others have received treatment in their homes as barangay health workers continue monitoring their condition.

“The local government is assisting them in their medicine and hospital needs,” Gonzaga said.

Gonzaga blamed a contaminated deep well, the residents’ source of drinking water, for the outbreak.

“I would advise residents to boil their drinking water to ensure safety,” Gonzaga said.  SFM/rga