BY CHRYSEE G. SAMILLANO
The Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod is urging the office of Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez to inspect and test the potability of all water refilling stations in Bacolod City and to order the closure of those that are in violation of P.D. 856.
The resolution authored by Councilor Em Legaspi-Ang said Sec. 9, Chapter ll of P.D 856 or the Sanitation Code of the Philippines provides that, “Standards for drinking water and their bacteriological and chemical examinations, together with the evaluation of results, should conform to the criteria set by the National Drinking Water Standards.”
Administrative Order No. 2017-0010 or the Philippine National Drinking Water Standards of 2017 provides that, “Drinking water from refilling stations, vending machines, mobile tanks and bulk water supply should be subject for initial and periodic examinations for microbiological, physical, chemical and radiological quality,” it said.
The resolution said there have been complaints by Bacolod City residents in mainstream and social media that employees of water stations handling the refilling process of water containers are not complying with the rules set by the said sanitation code.
Ang said there are also numerous complaints sent to her office noting that they experience stomach sickness after consuming water products from some water refilling stations in the city.
To ensure the safety and to protect the health of Bacolod City residents, it is necessary for the sanitary inspector of the City Health Office to conduct an inspection and to test the potability of all water refilling stations in the city, she added.*
