80 residents sick due to suspected contaminated water in Bulacan

Around 80 residents became ill on Monday due to the supposed contamination of water in Marilao, Bulacan.

Rosenie Arroyo recalled that her grandchild was brought to the hospital after the latter vomited.

"Bigla na lang nasuka tapos na ng pananghalian. Nung dumating na sa ospital, talagang na-dehydrate na pala," Arroyo said in a "24 Oras" report by Mariz Umali.

According to Arroyo, residents started to be ill when the Marilao Water District (Marwadis) opened a tank near a river in the Saint Barbara Phase of Deca Homes. Since last week, many were rushed to the hospital after suffering from vomiting and diarrhea.

"Sabi noon, nung dito kami eh potable water. Eh 'yan, tingnan mo potable nila, ang daming naospital," Arroyo said.

Meanwhile, Hermie Cleopas said he had suffered from stomach pain after drinking the water.

"Base sa result ng laboratory test, so merong ano nga sa tubig... 'yung nanggagaling na bacteria, amoeba," Cleopas said.

Cleopas urged Marwadis to assist them in their medical expenses. He also asked the water company to give them the salary, which they did not receive, after being absent from work.

"Siyempre naperwisyo rin 'yung trabaho namin kasi imbes na makakaano ka ng gagawin mo, hindi ka na makapagtrabaho dahil sa karamdaman namin," Cleopas said.

Rolly Maligat, the head of the homeowners group in the subdivision, said he already called the attention of Marwadis regarding the matter.

"Buhat-buhat ko 'yung drum, pinakita ko sa kanila 'yung hitsura ng tubig na sinusupply. Kaya sinabi ko sa kanila, itigil 'yung supply," Maligat said, adding that they are ready to file complaints against Marwadis.

In a separate report, Marwadis admitted that they had obtained water from the river but this was suppsedly only for testing.

"Eh 'yun nga eh tinetesting pa lang po. Nung nakaraan pa lang po, tinetesting pa lang po," said Aurelio Dar, team leader of the maintenance department of Marwadis.

Meanwhile, Department of Health (DOH) officials already went to the area to check the situation of residents.

"Namigay lang sila ng Oresol kahapon tapos kinuha 'yung datos, mga ganon," Maligat said.

The report said based from DOH's data in 2015, around 95 percent of houses in Bulacan have access to clean water. — Anna Felicia Bajo/BAP, GMA News