Cooler weather for Panay ahead

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

ILONGGOS will enjoy cooler weather with the onset of the rainy season but downpours can also affect power supply and public health.

Iloilo City suffered a one-hour power blackout as thunderstorms raged during a rainy Tuesday evening.

Engr. Randy Pastolero, operations manager of Panay Electric Co. (PECO), said their distribution lines suffered from “transient faults” brought about by thunders.

Pastolero said the thunder disrupted their supply from Panay Power Corp. (PPC), plunging the city in darkness.

As PECO, the sole power distributor in the city, restored power in the city, another fault occurred when PPC tried to re-energize its lines to Pavia, Iloilo.

The second round of fault triggered blackouts in portions of Jaro, Mandurriao and LaPaz that were re-energized.

Pastolero said temporary faults caused by bad weather will continue to plague their lines although they assured to restore electricity if there are no other disturbances PECO’s system.

Meanwhile, the Department of Health hoisted a warning against the rise of water- and food-borne diseases during rainy season and opening of classes.

Citing scientific studies, the DOH-Western Visayas said protozoa, viruses, or bacteria that cause waterborne diseases abound during heavy rains.

These parasites are commonly transmitted through ingestion of contaminated food or water as a result of poor sanitation and hygiene, the health department said.

Dr. Ariel Valencia, DOH regional director, said diseases prevalent during the rainy season are acute gastroenteritis, typhoid fever, cholera and hepatitis A.

Leptospirosis, an infection which can be contracted from wading in floodwaters contaminated with urine of animals like rats, dengue and malaria also rise during wet season.

“Clean up all possible mosquito breeding sites such as flower vases, empty coconut shells, old tires and tin cans to prevent dengue and malaria,” Valencia said.

Valencia also reminded the public that food should be well-cooked while left-overs should be covered and kept away from household pests. Food wastes should be disposed properly to avoid pests and germs from spreading.

During typhoon, make sure to get drinking water from a safe source. When in doubt, boil the water for three minutes or chlorinate it,” Valencia said.