MANILA, Philippines — Perwisyo at nakakasama sa kalusugan ang dulot na dumi ng poso negro kapag inabot ito ng pag-singaw o pag-apaw.

At upang makaiwas pa sa dagdag na sakit na maaaring makuha rito, lalo na ngayong mayroong nararanasang pandemya, hinihikayat ng Maynilad Water Service Inc. ang kanilang mga customer na samantalahin ang serbisyong pagpapalinis ng septic tank sa kanilang lugar.

“Ayaw naman natin na mapuno ang septic tank natin nung sludge ito kasi ang nasa loob ng septic tank na maaaring magdulot ng bara doon sa septic tank. Magkakaroon ng epekto sa ating kapaligiran at maaari din siyang pagmulan ng iba’t ibang uri ng sakit,” ayon kay Collection and Transport Septage Management Department (CTSMD) Head Carlo Tolentino.

Ayon sa Maynilad, mahalagang malinis ang septic tank sa ating mga bahay isang beses sa loob ng lima hanggang pitong taon upang makaiwas sa anumang sakit.

“Para ma-maintain natin ang treatment capability o ang kakayahan nung septic tank na linisin ang dumi na napupunta sa kanya para ang mga dini-discharge niyang tubig doon sa ating mga estero kahit papaano ay malinis na,” dagdag ni Tolentino.

Dahil nasa ilalim pa rin ngayon ang Metro Manila sa modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ), tiniyak ng Maynilad na sinusunod ng mga tauhan nito ang public health standards gaya ng pagsusuot ng facemask at face shield bago pumasok sa mga bahay. May gwantes at masusing dini-disinfect ang mga hose upang masegurong hindi kakapitan ng mga virus.

“Lahat ng kagamitan nila is dini-disinfect bago magsimula at pagkatapos linisin ang isang septic tank,” ayon kay Tolentino.

Sa mga nais magpa-schedule pwedeng makipag-ugnayan sa mga naka-assign na Maynilad Zone Specialist sa inyong barangay o kaya ay tumawag sa Maynilad Hotline na 1626.

Maaari ding bisitahin ang Facebook page ng Maynilad para sa iba pang detalye at schedule ng pagpapalinis ng poso negro.

Ngayong taon target ng Maynilad na makapag-sebisyo at makapaglinis ng higit 158,000 septic tank ng mga customer nito sa Metro Manila. (Balita ni Janice Ingente)

MANILA, Philippines — The Quezon City government has called on the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Department of Health (DOH) to issue a clear stand on the safety and general use of anti-parasitic drug ivermectin.

In a statement issued on Thursday, City Health officer-in-charge Dr. Esperanza Arias said a firm stand by the national regulatory agencies will “help set the record straight regarding the legality and efficacy of the drug, including its distribution to the general public.”

The city health office made the call following reports of the distribution of ivermectin to residents of Old Balara wherein each beneficiary supposedly received a minimum of three capsules or tablets.

“We were not given a go signal by the FDA to use ivermectin as a prophylaxis or cure against COVID-19 since it’s still pending further studies. Hence, we cannot use it nor endorse it,” Arias said.

“But on the other hand, we cannot also stop its distribution since use of it against COVID has not been declared illegal as well,” she added.

The city health office advised citizens to remain vigilant, as the drug has not yet been proven to be effective against the virus and allegedly causes side effects.

“The city government continues to stand by the science-backed recommendation that vaccination is still the safe and effective way of protecting people against COVID-19, together with the strict adherence to minimum health standards,” Arias said.

She also expressed hope that Anakalusugan Partylist Rep. Mike Defensor and House Deputy Speaker Rodante Marcoleta would accept accountability for any adverse effects their distribution activity may cause the general population in the future.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra earlier said that he has yet to determine whether the two exemptions cited by FDA Director General Eric Domingo have sound legal bases.

MANILA, Philippines — The Quezon City Government has tested four individuals who lined up during actress Angel Locsin’s community pantry.

According to the City Epidemiology and Disease Surveillance Unit (CESU) Chief Dr. Rolando Cruz, three of the individuals were not showing any symptoms connected to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), while the other one was experiencing headache, loss of smell, and loss of taste.

“Today is the fifth day since Ms. Locsin’s event. The average incubation period for COVID-19 is approximately five days. So we call on everyone who went to last Friday’s gathering, please report to us and have yourself tested. If there was a transmission and you were exposed, you may observe some symptoms manifesting starting today,” he said.

Since Friday, Cruz said, the CESU has been receiving an average of 950 swab test requests daily while around 600 per day were approved or conducted.

He also reminded that residents who wish to get tested for the virus can sign up for an appointment through QC Contact Tracing Hotlines: 8703-2759, 8703-4398, 0916-122-8628, 0908-639-8086, and 0931-095-7737. –AAC