ILOILO City – The city government has recognized 22 barangays in this city for achieving the “zero open defecation” (ZOD) status.
Mayor Jerry Treñas, Vice Mayor Jeffrey Ganzon and City Health Office chief Dr. Annabelle Tang led the awarding of certificates yesterday to barangays Balabago, Balantang, Buntatala, Camalig, Cubay, Lanit, MV Hechonova, Tacas, Tagbak, Arguelles, Cuartero, Dungon A, Fajardo, Javellana, Libertad-Sta. Isabel, Lopez Jaena, Ma. Cristina, M.H. Del Pilar, Montinola, Our Lady of Fatima, San Jose, and San Vicente.
These barangays were inspected and underwent validation by sanitary inspectors.
At present, 50 percent of the city’s 180 barangays have already achieved ZOD status.
“Zero open defecation” status means households now have their own toilets and have already abandoned the practice of open defecation.
The city government’s ZOD campaign is in compliance with the Department of Health (DOH) Administrative Order 2010-0021 dated June 25, 2010 entitled “Sustainable Sanitation as the National Policy and Priority Program of the DOH.”
Treñas said achieving the ZOD status is an effective measure to prevent diseases like acute gastroenteritis (AGE), cholera, diarrhea, and other waterborne diseases.
“Very significant because ang AGE dira nagahalin… Amo gid na nga ginatulod ta gid na, ginatinguhaan nga mas madamo pa gid nga mga barangay ang magsulod diri (ZOD status) para nga mapadula ta gid ang AGE,” Treñas said.
For more city barangays to achieve the ZOD status, the city government is planning to put up public communal toilets in congested areas or in places that have no space for comfort rooms starting next year.
Treñas said the city government’s housing project could also be a big help in achieving the ZOD status as each house or unit will have its own toilet./PN
