Buguias crafts safe water ordinance

MEMBERS of the provincial board on Monday gave a favorable review on Buguias ordinance “Safe, Clean, Potable Water Ordinance” of the municipality.

The ordinance aims to prevent spread of water-borne diseases by requiring all waterworks system in the municipality to be sampled.

Board Member Jim Botiwey, who chairs the committee on health and sanitation during Monday’s board meeting said the ordinance was given favorable review as it helps prevent the spread of water borne diseases in the municipality.

Local legislators stated as one way of preventing such spread is to require all waterworks system in the municipality to have their water undergo laboratory testing twice a year.

“There is a need to prevent if not to stop, the spread of water home disease in the municipality,” the ordinance stated co – authored by Buguias Councilor Pepito Bayan, Esto Agayco, and Ireneo Calwag.

Under the approved law, all waterworks association in the municipality of Buguias are required to collect water samples from their water sources every six months for laboratory test to any accredited laboratory clinic to avoid outbreak of disease.

The water works associations are responsible for the payment of laboratory fees.

“If ordinary bacteria or E.coli bacteria is positive after laboratory testing on water samples, the water works association officers and their respective barangay officials will immediately report to the Provincial Health Office or the Municipal Health Office (MHO) personnel for appropriate action,” the ordinance reads.

Under the approved law, the MHO or any government agency will be tasked by the local chief executive to

implement the provisions of the law.

Failure of the water works association officers for water source testing will be penalized for P500 for first offense,P750 for second offense and P1,000 for third offense.