Tuesday, April 15, 2008 Asturias to manage waterworks system
THE Municipal Government of Asturias has decided to take over the control and operation of the Sta. Lucia Water Works System Association in Barangay Sta. Lucia following the cases of typhoid fever that killed one person and caused the hospitalization of 19 others.
But Asturias Mayor Allan Adlawan said yesterday that the Provincial Water Task Force and the Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO) already contained the typhoid-causing bacteria in the water system after a massive water chlorination in the barangay.
Adlawan said that they will have a general assembly with the consumers and members of the water system so they could announce the town’s takeover on the water system and the scheduled cut-off date for the water bills.
Adlawan met with Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia and Fr. Prumencio Mahusay, the town’s parish priest and chairman of the board of the Sta. Lucia Water Works System, and discussed the town’s scheduled takeover of the water system.
Deaths
Earlier, a 50-year-old resident died after falling ill with typhoid fever in Barangay Sta. Lucia. At least 19 others were hospitalized.
Adlawan had said that apart from the water system, an artesian well also caused the typhoid fever cases in the village.
He added that the municipal health workers tested water from one faucet of the association and found it positive of the typhoid-causing bacteria.
The barangay’s first case of typhoid fever was recorded last March 24.
Assets
IPHO took rectal swabs from the patients and also found them positive of the salmonella organism.
Meanwhile, Fr. Mahu-say agreed with the proposal on the town’s takeover of the water system, said Adlawan.
For her part, Garcia said that the provincial appraisal committee will evaluate the assets of the water system as basis for the payment.
Garcia said that she had been encouraging local government units (LGU) in the province to run the water systems in their locality since it is a “basic and vital facility.”
The governor said that she supports the move of LGUs managing their water systems.
Garcia believes that the water system will be a viable source of income if the LGU manages it well.
The governor also assured Asturias town that Capitol will help in the expansion of the water system so it can also service other sitios and nearby barangays. (GMD)
