Water supply contamination was found in collected samples from evacuation centers in Albay which indicates that the drinking water provided to evacuees is not safe.
According to Engr. William Sabater of the Water Sanitation and Health (WASH) Coordinator of Albay Provincial Health Office, the results of the water samples revealed the presence of organisms or microbes that can cause waterborne diseases.
The collection of water samples was conducted randomly in the evacuation centers, including samples taken from the containers used for drinking water.
"We found out na may mga water containers po na nakunan ng ating mga LGUs na lumalabas po talaga na nag kanilang tubig ay positibo," said Sabater.
"That is why, I adhere to the recommendation of our governor na mag-provide na lang ng drinking water sa ating mga evacuees utilizing the water refilling station," he added.
Local authorities are currently engaging with nearby water refilling stations that will supply safe drinking water to the evacuees.
According to the latest report of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), the seismic unrest of Mayon Volcano continues to increase as the state seismologist recorded 107 volcanic earthquakes and 241 rockfall events in the past 24 hours.
The number of families displaced by the unrest in Mayon has already reached 41,483 individuals — with 18,706 people staying in 28 evacuation centers.
