The Department of Health warns the public against the health risks from swimming at Baseco Beach.

According to DOH Officer in-charge Chief of Environmental and Occupational Health Division Dr. Clarito Cairo Jr., swimming at that beach has long been prohibited because it’s not only safe and dangerous but extremely dangerous. 

“Ang Baseco Beach na yan, talagang matagal ng pinagbabawal ang paglangoy ng ating mga kababayan kasi ang tubig dyan talagang hindi lang po unsafe, hindi lang po dangerous, kundi extremely dangerous,” he said

[“That Baseco Beach, swimming there has been prohibited because the water there is not just unsafe, not just dangerous, but extremely dangerous.”]

According to the DOH, the water at the Baseco Beach contains E. coli bacteria, which brings serious health risks to anyone who swims there.

“Ang common po dyan ay yung tinatawag na E. coli. Ayan po yung common na bacteria sa dumi ng tao at ganun din po, dumi ng hayop, and kasama rin po yung bacteria na nagdudulot po ng typhoid fever, hepatitis A, nandyan din po yung leptospirosis,” Dr. Cairo said

[“The common thing there is what we call E. coli. That is the common bacteria from the stool of humans, as well as from the stool of an animal, and also it includes the bacteria that can cause typhoid fever, hepatitis A, and leptospirosis.”]

Despite the restrictions, some people continue to swim amid the warm and dry season.

Barangay. 649, Baseco Chairperson Diana Espinosa emphasized that they do not allow anyone to swim there.

“Ay hindi po natin yan pinapayagan. Pinagbabawalan po natin sila,” she said

The DOH advised that individuals may eventually experience the effects of exposure to contaminated water.

“Pero darating yung time na talagang magkakasakit po sila sa balat, magkakasakit po sila sa mata, impeksyon sa mata, impeksyon sa tenga, sa pagtatae, pagsusuka. Madami pong sakit ang pwede nilang makuha dyan dahil sa maduming tubig,”

[“The time will come that they will suffer from skin diseases, eye and ear infections, diarrhea, vomiting. There are many illnesses they can get from the dirty water.”]

With reports from Dante Amento