Wednesday, September 14, 2005
The Paradox
The Paradox
Metro Post - Page 04
September 04-09. 2005
The Sibulan Water District is neck-deep in hot water over reports that the water from their main source has a very small amount of arsenic, a chemical which, when taken repeatedly over a long period of time, could cause cancer of the lungs, skin, or liver.
The problem of the Siwad started in February after residents of barangay Agan-an in Sibulan opposed the replacement of their water pipes from the Dumaguete City Water District for the Siwad. Why? Because of a study by the University of the Philippines which found that the arsenic content in the water from Siwad's Magatas pumping station was .022 mcg/liter -- higher than the World Health Organization's standard of .01 mcg/liter.
Now, tests conducted by three other laboratories accredited by the Department of Environment & Natural Resources have revealed that the arsenic levels have decreased to a level that is considered safe.
The Siwad now wants the trust of the Sibulan water consumers so they would patronize their services and, most important, pay their water bills.
But how do you earn trust? The officers of Siwad themselves can convince to the public how safe their water truly is by conducting regular water-drinking sessions directly from Siwad faucets in Sibulan's various barangays.
This suggestion, though, seems to have fallen on deaf ears.
As it turns out, many Siwad officers themselves do not seem convinced about the status of their water. They actually drink only mineral water.
This is the paradox the Siwad officials face: If they themselves are not convinced by their own product, how could they convince anyone else?
Metro Post - Page 04
September 04-09. 2005
The Sibulan Water District is neck-deep in hot water over reports that the water from their main source has a very small amount of arsenic, a chemical which, when taken repeatedly over a long period of time, could cause cancer of the lungs, skin, or liver.
The problem of the Siwad started in February after residents of barangay Agan-an in Sibulan opposed the replacement of their water pipes from the Dumaguete City Water District for the Siwad. Why? Because of a study by the University of the Philippines which found that the arsenic content in the water from Siwad's Magatas pumping station was .022 mcg/liter -- higher than the World Health Organization's standard of .01 mcg/liter.
Now, tests conducted by three other laboratories accredited by the Department of Environment & Natural Resources have revealed that the arsenic levels have decreased to a level that is considered safe.
The Siwad now wants the trust of the Sibulan water consumers so they would patronize their services and, most important, pay their water bills.
But how do you earn trust? The officers of Siwad themselves can convince to the public how safe their water truly is by conducting regular water-drinking sessions directly from Siwad faucets in Sibulan's various barangays.
This suggestion, though, seems to have fallen on deaf ears.
As it turns out, many Siwad officers themselves do not seem convinced about the status of their water. They actually drink only mineral water.
This is the paradox the Siwad officials face: If they themselves are not convinced by their own product, how could they convince anyone else?
# posted by NOIPC @ 6:57 PM 
