In an attempt to avoid a repeat of the 2023 water contamination incident that led to hundreds of cases of waterborne diarrhea, Baguio Mayor Benjamin Magalong has ordered teams to aggressively monitor water quality in the city.
According to Magalong, the city is looking to tighten its security measures in expectation of the year-end tourist influx.
Magalong said the city is doubling its disease prevention efforts as tourism activities peak during the Christmas and new year celebrations.
The city government’s City Health Services Office (CHSO), through the Environmental and Sanitation Division, has been conducting more aggressive drinking water and water source testing and monitoring.
Inspections are aided by the Permits and Licensing Division and the Public Order and Safety Division of the City Mayor’s Office.
The Baguio City Police Office (BCPO) has also since doubled down on their compliance checks for sanitary and business permits, health certificates, and permits of food handlers.
The government has committed to heightened security after more than 2,000 people were affected by tainted water early this year, which was traced to contaminated water that came from sources outside the Baguio Water District (BWD).
