City Health Office (CHO) has warned residents here to be extra cautious in drinking water as this may be laden with contaminants following the continuous rains over the weekend.
City Health Officer Dr. Edgardo Sandig said people whose barangays are still soaked in floodwater were advised to first boil the water they would be drinking for at least 20 minutes.
Earlier City Mayor Darlene Antonino-Custodio ordered the city health office to keep a tight watch on identified flood-prone barangays here as well as undertake massive information dissemination on how to boil water correctly to avoid the occurrence of floodwater-born illnesses.
According to Dr. Sandig, there has been no report of flood-related ailment or any severe sickness that is alarming. However, he said there is nothing wrong if the public will be extra careful and take into account the consequences that bad weather brings.
Report from the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) took note of the occurrence of fever and minor skin diseases in few individuals affected by recent flood or residing in flood-prone areas.
Aside from undertaking massive information dissemination through his office, Sandig also urged residents to seek immediate treatment from their respective health centers should they feel sick.
“Kung sakaling may mararamdamang di kanais nais sa katawan maaring lumapit at makipag ugnayan lamang sa mga Barangay Health Center,” the City Public Information Office quoted Sandig as saying.
Over the weekend, General Santos City and its neighboring provinces Sarangani and South Cotabato experienced continues light to heavy rainfall triggered by the s low pressure area (LPA) in southern Mindanao and the tail-end of a cold front affecting northern and central Luzon. (CTA/PIA General Santos City)