6 of 20 samples Iligan water lines failed bacteriological tests — COA
BY PETER TABINGO
THE Commission on Audit (COA) has revealed that several distribution lines of the Iligan City Waterworks System (ICWS) have failed bacteriological analysis conducted in 2023 due to high levels of E. coli bacteria.
In its 94-page report released on February 14, 2024, the COA said results of water sample examinations also showed six lines exceeded the safety standards for total coliform set under Department of Health (DOH) Administrative Order No. 2017-0010 (Philippine National Standards for Drinking Water), while five lines failed the maximum threshold for chlorine.
High E. Coli was found in the distribution lines of Tipanoy, Ubaldo Laya (Purok Greehills), Ubaldo Laya (Purok Green Valley), Pala-o (Bro. Raymund Jeffrey Road) all with total coliform of 8; and Luinab and Purok 1 both with 2.6 total coliform.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), zero E. Coli count per 100 milliliters of water is considered safe for drinking but the DOH 2017 Standards for Drinking Water set the level at <1.1 MPN (most probable number).
On the other hand, failing chlorine tests results were recorded in the distribution lines of San Roque, Sampaguita, and Ilicoco Ground Tank with 5 chlorine levels; and Fuentes and Anahawon Reservoir both with 3 chlorine levels.
The DOH safety standard sets the maximum safe level of chlorine in drinking water at 1.5.
The Citizen Participatory Audit report warned that water from distribution lines that failed the E. Coli and chlorine levels analysis could cause stomach-related diseases.
“Presence of E. coli should be considered as evidence of recent faecal contamination. When E. coli/Thermotolerant Coliform is present in water, a sanitary survey shall be conducted within 24 hours to determine the cause of contamination which includes resampling,” the audit team said.
It recommended that the ICWS issue a public advisory that affected residents in the failed distribution lines should boil the water before drinking or consider alternative sources of drinking water.
The contamination was attributed to cross-connections or the mixing of polluted water with the supply line of drinking water.
“An intermittent supply of water, resulting in low water pressure, allows the ingress of contaminated water into the system through breaks, cracks, joints, and pinholes,” the auditors said.
ICWS management informed the audit team that it does not have a complete map of the water distribution network.
In 2007, an attempt was made to draw a map of the distribution system based on a masterplan proposed by an Australian consultant in 1998.
To date however, only one in ten distribution systems has been completed. Worse, new lines were installed without coordination with the Engineering Division making some of the maps outdated.
The audit was done through a joint effort between the COA and volunteers from the civil society organizations of the Ecosystems Work for Essential Benefits Inc. (ECOWEB), Federation of Women’s Survivor, and Pailig Development Foundation Inc., the Medical Action Group/Health Alliance Volunteer Association, Barangay Upper Hinaplanon Muslim Livelihood Association (BUHIMLA), Rotary Club of Metro Iligan, Iligan Federation of Urban Poor Accredited Association, Tomicon Association of Iligan City, and Pakigdait Alang sa Pag-Amoma sa Kalinaw Incorporated.
On the other hand, the COA audit team was composed of state auditors with the assistance of three lawyers and two engineers.
Marcos firm: ICC has no jurisdiction over PH
BY JOCELYN MONTEMAYOR
President Marcos Jr. yesterday reiterated the Philippines will not cooperate in the ongoing investigation of the International Criminal Court (ICC) on the alleged human rights abuses committed in pursuit of the illegal drugs campaign of the Duterte administration has he maintained that the ICC has no jurisdiction in the country.
The President made the statement following a recent survey showing that majority of Filipinos want the Marcos administration to cooperate with the ICC’s drug probe against former President Rodrigo Duterte.
“It opens (a) Pandora’s box because it’s still those questions of jurisdictions and sovereignty that I haven’t yet seen a sufficient answer for. Until then, I do not recognize their jurisdiction in the Philippines,” Marcos said in an interview after the 16th Ani ng Dangal 2024 awarding in Manila City.
Asked if there is a chance that his stand will change especially if there is an amount of evidence collated and presented against Duterte, the President said it was not about the pieces of evidence gathered by the ICC, but its jurisdiction over the Philippines, especially since the country has withdrawn from the Rome Statute in 2019.
“It’s not about the evidence, it’s about the jurisdiction of the ICC in the Philippines. They can produce as much evidence as they want but they cannot act upon it in the Philippines. That’s the point,” Marcos stressed.
As this developed, the Social Weather Stations (SWS) yesterday re-issued its December 2023 findings that 53 percent of Filipinos (25 percent strongly approved, 28 percent somewhat approved) said the ICC should investigate the drug-related killings, while 21 percent (10 percent strongly disapproved, 11 percent somewhat disapproved) disagreed.
This is higher than the 45 percent (20 percent strongly approved, 25 percent somewhat approved) that said the ICC should investigate the drug related killings in March 2023, and lower than the 24 percent (10 percent strongly disapproved, 14 percent somewhat disapproved) that disapproved.
The results show a net approval rating of +33 (percent of approval minus percent of disapproval) which is higher than the +21 in March.
SWS also said that 57 percent (26 percent strongly approved, 31 percent somewhat approved) wants the government to allow the ICC to investigate the drug-related killings while 19 percent (10 percent strongly disapproved, 9 percent somewhat disapproved) disagreed.
This is higher than the 48 percent (26 percent strongly approved, 31 percent somewhat approved) that said the government should allow ICC to investigate, and statistically unchanged from 20 percent (9 percent strongly disapproved, 11 percent somewhat disapproved) that disapproved in March.
SWS also found that close to three of 10 people or 29 percent trust that the ICC would be able to conduct an impartial investigation, up from 22 percent in March, while 16 percent (down from 22 percent) have little trust on the ICC.
Prosecution told to detail P4.6M graft charge
vs ex-LTFRB chief official
BY PETER TABINGO
THE Sandiganbayan has partially granted the Motion for a Bill of Particulars filed by a former executive director of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) who is facing a graft case for allegedly demanding and receiving P4.6 million from an applicant for a certificate of public convenience (CPC) in 2019.
A resolution from the Sixth Division dated February 19, 2024 directed the prosecution to provide accused Samuel Aloysius Jardin a bill of particulars within 10 days clarifying the specific time and place of the commission of the offense, the date when the application for CPC was filed with the Technical Division of the LTFRB, the name of the applicant, the case number, the application number, details of payment of application fees, and the particular route applied for; and the particular route covered by the Route Measured Capacity (RMC) being sought.
However, the court denied the request for other specific details listed by the defendant noting that they are not proper subjects of a bill of particulars and which are unnecessary in proving the case or the ultimate fact alleged, or which are bound to be passed on during trial on merits.
Jardin’s separate request that the information be amended to reflect the contents of the bill of particulars was also rejected.
Jardin was ordered removed from office by the Office of the Ombudsman on December 22, 2020 after finding him guilty of grave misconduct and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service in relation to accusations of irregular transactions pertaining to CPC applicants.
The criminal charge was filed with the Sandiganbayan in 2023.
Before his dismissal and subsequent indictment, Jardin was also suspended in April 2019 by former Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade for “facilitating and fixing the application” for CPCs. He served just over a year with the LTFRB after being appointed to the post by former President Rodrigo Duterte in March 2018.
The defendant had previously tried and failed to get the Sandiganbayan to throw out the case on the ground that the allegations did not amount to a criminal offense.
He likewise pointed out that the case stemmed from the records of the DOTr’s investigation even if the same included an affidavit from CPC applicant Michelle Sapangila who said that there was no money, black bag, or envelope involved, hence the cases had no leg to stand on.
He added that Sapangila’s affidavit also did not mention a CPC but only a “route measured capacity or RMC” which is not the same as a permit or license.
However, the Sandiganbayan’s June 13, 2023 resolution affirmed the validity of the graft charge saying the information sufficiently alleged the acts constituting violation of Section 3 (c) of RA 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
The court held that even if the prosecution did not deny that there was no giving or money or a bag or envelop holding cash or that Sapangila was not an operator of a public utility vehicle or lacking in financial capacity to be one, there was still prima facie evidence to support the allegations.
Archbishop Palma to National Museum:
Return pulpit panels of Cebu church
BY GERARD NAVAL
CEBU Archbishop Jose Palma yesterday asked the National Museum of the Philippines to return four pulpit panels that he said were removed from the Archdiocesan Shrine of Patrocinio de Maria Santisima in Boljoon, Cebu without permission.
He said the Archdiocese of Cebu “asserts its ownership of these panels and requests their immediate return to Boljoon at the pulpit, where they were surreptitiously removed.”
Palma issued the call a week after the National Museum announced its receipt of early 19th-century panels depicting the founder of the Augustinian Order, from “private collectors” Edwin and Aileen Bautista.
The museum said the panels that feature the image of Saint Augustine of Hippo trace their origin from the pulpit of the Patrocinio de Maria Santisima Parish Church in Boljoon, Cebu.
Palma said panels were removed from the church without permission from his predecessor, the late Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal. He said there was also no official record in the Archdiocesan Archives or in the Chancery Office of any request from the parish priest at the time, Fr. Faustino Cortes, for approval to deconsecrate the panels for removal or conveyance to third parties in exchange for monetary purposes of the parish.
“Neither would this have been approved, knowing that these panels are sacred objects of the church, where for centuries, Augustinian friars delivered sermons to the faithful,” said Palma.
He said the sacred panels are integral to the patrimony of the church as part of her missionary work.
This, he said, means that their illegal removal from the church constitutes a sacrilegious act.
“They should never have been treated, then or now, as mere artworks for exhibition in museums, much less for private appreciation by the collectors, who purchased them. For these panels are considered in the ecclesial rite as tools of evangelization,” he said.
Focus more on preventing diseases, DOH asked
BY GERARD NAVAL
A FORMER adviser of the Department of Health (DOH) yesterday called on the government to focus more on preventing illnesses, such as cancer and hypertension, than making cure for these diseases more accessible.
“Prevention is key. There should be solid long-term programs to reduce NCDs (non-communicable diseases). The DOH should find a way to reduce the burden of NCDs,” said Dr Anthony Leachon , former DOH special adviser for non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
Nevertheless, he said efforts to make drugs against NCDs are welcome as it will help those with non-communicable illnesses.
“It’s a good government initiative to defray the expenses of the patients for noncommunicable diseases,” he said.
Leachon was referring to the 20 medicines that are now exempted from value-added tax (VAT) after being included in the list by the Food and Drug Administration.
In Advisory No. 2024-0329, the FDA provided an update on drugs and medicines that will not be subjected to VAT, based on under Republic Act No. 11534.
Included are 12 medicines for cancer, namely Sonidegib (as phosphate) 200 mg, Pemetrexed (as disodium heptahydrate) 100 mg, Asciminib (as hydrochloride) 20 mg, Asciminib (as hydrochloride) 40 mg, Palbociclib 75 mg, Palbociclib 100 mg, Palbociclib 125 mg, Pemetrexed (as disodium hemipentahydrate) 100 mg, Pemetrexed (as disodium hemipentahydrate) 10 mg/mL (500mg/50 mL), Cabazitaxel 60 mg/1.5 mL, Entrectinib 100 mg, and Entrectinib 200 mg.
Also in the list are four medicines for hypertension — Losartan Potassium + Amlodipine (as besilate) 100 mg/10 mg, Losartan Potassium + Amlodipine (as besilate) 100 mg/5 mg, Irbesartan + Amlodipine (as Besilate) 300 mg/5 mg, and Irbesartan + Amlodipine (as besilate) 300 mg/10 mg.
Completing the list are four medicines for mental illness — Cariprazine (as hydrochloride) 1.5 mg, Cariprazine (as hydrochloride) 3 mg, Cariprazine (as hydrochloride) 4.5 mg, and Cariprazine (as hydrochloride) 6 mg.
Under RA No. 11534, certain health products including, drugs for hypertension, cancer, mental illnesses, tuberculosis, kidney diseases, diabetes, and high cholesterol, are exempted from VAT.
The law mandates the FDA to identify and transmit the list of VAT-exempt health products to other implementing agencies, such as the Bureau of Internal Revenue.
Troops restrict terrorists’ movement in Lanao
BY Victor Reyes
GOVERNMENT troops have cordoned off an area in Munai, Lanao del Sur where members of the Daulah Islamiyah-Maute Group (DI-MG) members escaped Sunday after figuring in skirmishes that left six soldiers dead and four others injured.
The AFP’s Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom) yesterday said the move is meant “to restrict the movement of the fleeing terrorists” who are subject of continuing military pursuit operations.
“As of this report, government troops are still in pursuit of the said terrorist group while other military units cordoned the area to restrict the movement of the fleeing terrorists,” Wesmincom said in a statement, without elaborating.
About 15 DI-MG members, led by one alias Mas’Od, clashed with Army soldiers in Barangay Ramain in Munai last Sunday afternoon, leaving six soldiers dead and four others injured. The military said two of the terrorists also died in the fighting.
Armed Forces chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr has said the clashes occurred as troops continue to go after DI-MG members behind the December 3 bombing at the Mindanao State University in Marawi City that left four people dead and 50 others injured.
Wesmincom commander Lt. Gen. William Gonzales said, “We believe that a number of DI members were wounded and probably could have died due to loss of blood after the series of encounters since they have nowhere to go due to the blockades established by our troops.”
No body found since Sunday from Davao landslide site
BY VICTOR REYES
THE municipal government of Maco, Davao de Oro yesterday said search and retrieval workers have not retrieved a single body in the past days from the landslide that hit one its barangays last February 6.
Maco information officer Jiesyl Mae Tan said the death toll from the tragedy in Barangay Masara remained at 98 yesterday with eight others still reported as missing.
Leah Añora, a member of the interior department’s Management of the Dead and Missing, on Saturday said 79 of 98 fatalities have been identified.
“As of now, our search and retrieval operation is ongoing,” said Tan, adding that local chief executives want all the missing retrieved.
“The primary objective is to retrieve all the bodies and give them back to their families,” added Tan.
Tan said that while they are committed to locating the missing victims, authorities are also giving priority to the safety of the search and retrieval workers.
Tan said occasional rain showers and ground shaking are being experienced at ground zero, hampering the search and retrieval operations.
“If we experience rains, we have to really put the operation on hold until such time the safety officer declares it is safe to continue the operation,” said Tan.
The rain-induced landslides buried dozens of houses and two buses used in transporting workers of the Apex Mining Company.
The area had been declared as no-habitation zone by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau after it was hit by similar landslides in 2017 and 2018.
Official said they are going to strictly implement the MGB order following the latest landslide.
