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Thursday, September 29, 2005
Water wells not checked for agri-chem contents
THERE is no reason to say that the water supply in Davao City, boasted of as being among the world's best, is not be contaminated with chemicals and fertilizers simply because there is no such test being conducted.
"Although we conduct a monthly study on the microbial, physical, and chemical character of the water, there is no monitoring on pesticide and fertilizer content on our wells," Davao City Water District (DCWD) control officer Haidi Maspinas said in Wednesday's City Council committee hearing on the terrain analysis of Davao City at the City Council session hall.
The admission was extracted following the contention of City Planning and Development Officer Mario Luis Jacinto that there is no reason to fear pesticide and fertilizer contamination of water sources from banana plantations.
"On the apprehension of water contamination, there is no technical and scientific basis for that," Jacinto said during the committee hearing.
Jacinto said that there is no data or conclusive evidence from any agency or local government unit in the city such as the Department of Health showing that there is pesticide and fertilizer contamination on the water of Davao city.
Lia Jasmin Esquillo, director of the Interface Development Intervention System (Idis), an environmental non-government organization was quick to rebut that the reason for the absence of conclusive data is because there is no such data gathered in the first place.
"Yes there is no data saying na contaminated ang water nang pesticide and fertilizer. But how can we say that when walang tumitingin. There should be pesticide monitoring," Esquillo said.
According to Esquillo, a study of the Philippine Collaboration for Environmental and Economic Management in Davao (PCEEM) in one of the creeks in the city has come out with a finding that traces of pesticide are seen in the waters of the creek.
Esquillo added that there are studies of pesticide contamination in the water in other countries, which she said should also be implemented in the country.
"The public should not be complacent. We do not say na wala'y contamination kasi walang study," Esquillo said. BRQ
For Bisaya stories from Davao. Click here. (September 29, 2005 issue)
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