Too much water, nothing to drink
Drinking water has been scarce in the days that followed Ondoy and Pepeng. In fact a typical relief pack contained a bottle of water, unrealistically for a family of about five. And this does not include cooking water, which is needed badly for preparing evacuation area staples such as noodles, or for mixing infant formula.
Aside from potable drinking water, bathing and keeping the body clean was also close to impossible in calamity areas. In many devastated communities, the toilets were clogged and water for washing was very limited due to jammed pipelines. Unsanitary habits breed a host of other health problems that will compound the already sickening conditions in these evacuation centers.
Ondoy and Pepeng had been a big learning experience for ABS-CBN Sagip Kapamilya. In times of calamity, water relief is as important as food packs, if not, more essential. Relief operations in future calamities should include the distribution of portable toilets (portalets) and the deployment of shower vans to temporary shelters.
The calamities that befell on Luzon just opened everyone’s eyes on the chronic water supply problems in the country whether in the capital cities or rural areas. The supply is extremely critical, that’s why saving precious water has been an argument that somehow justified the last minute decision of dam managers to open the dams which resulted in flooding. If only there was a way to save the water dam managers would not have let go of the waters.
The resolve to keep water is that strong for good reason. In the later part of last year, many parts of the Philippines have already experienced water rationing, as reservoirs ran dry. If not for the short summer in 2009 and the generally wet months that followed, many would have felt a more prolonged water shortage. In the Philippines at least nine major cities have water supply already considered critically low. A study by the Japan International Cooperation Agency or JICA listed Metro Manila, Iloilo, Bacolod, Cebu, Davao, Baguio, Angeles, Cagayan de Oro and Zamboanga as cities whose water supply is dwindling.
In cities like Iloilo and Baguio intermittent supply problems have been experienced, while bigger cities like Metro Manila and Cebu only have water on certain hours of the day. Individual efforts by affected cities concentrate heavily on reforestation of watershed areas but this goal is often impeded by lack of funds or a drought in political will to stop illegal logging near the watersheds.
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Two decades ago, rain harvesting became “law of the land” via Republic Act 6716, otherwise known as An act providing for the construction of water wells, rainwater collectors and development of springs. Rain collection or rain harvesting is an inexpensive way of boosting water supply which consists of water catchment, treatment and distribution. Rainwater is collected in rooftops, purified in a central treatment syste, to be pumped into various water lines. Under Republic Act 6716, a Barangay Waterworks and Sanitation Association shall also be formed to operate and maintain the rainwater collection facilities to augment local water supply.
Sadly, as with many other laws, local government units have not taken strides for the full implementation the law which mandates the creation of rain harvesting facilities. In fact, I haven’t even seen a baragay rain harvesting facility to date.
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On a totally unrelated note, a group of doctors wants to exhume the skull of the national hero, Jose Rizal, so that they can “study and find out why he’s so smart.” The said group of doctors will drill a hole on Rizal’s skull, fill it with mongo beans to gauge its volume. This procedure is supposed to tell the size of Rizal’s cranial wall and determine why he is so smart. The petition to exhume Rizal’s remains is now pending at the National Historical Institute, which so far thinks it is not a good idea (sigh of relief).
This to me is plain desecration of our national hero, whom we reverebecause of his greatness, humanity, heroism and of course, his intelligence. While the size of his brain is of interest only to a minute minority of scientists overtaken by their whimsical insensitivity, the rest of the country really just wants the national hero to rest in peace where he lies with well-deserved dignity. It is enough for me to know that he is smart.
