The Provincial Technical Working Group of Zero Open Defecation (ZOD) campaign has  enjoined the local government units (LGUs) of Dauin, Zamboanguita, and Siaton to intensify the implementation of ZOD program in a monitoring visit-caravan recently.

 

 

It is noted that more than 7,000 households in the three LGUs are still without toilets and practicing open defecation.

 

Former assistant provincial health officer Dr. Edgardo Barredo who heads the PTWG said defecating in open places poses a serious threat to everyone’s health in the community.

 

“The high incidence of diarrhea, anemia among other diseases endangers the neighbourhood even those who have fixed toilets as fly flies,” said Dr. Barredo.

 

While open defecation is a practice among the poor, it is very important to educate them to slowly change their behaviour, the doctor said.

 

With this health and sanitation problem the LGUs face, Siaton mayor Alberto Ator has set to issue an executive order for the creation of local technical team to assist the 5,378 households without toilets in the implementation of ZOD program in his town.

 

For Zamboanguita, barangay captains in 10 brgys led by mayor Kit Mark Adanza committed to support the 1,326 households without toilets to achieve ZOD.

 

Dauin local government has also allocated P300,000 for toilet construction this year while 554 households identified without toilets will take care of the labor as their counterpart under ZOD program. (mbcn/jct/PIA7-Negros Oriental)