The Department of Health (DOH) Center for Health Development (CHD) Mimaropa, through the Provincial Health Office (PHO) of Oriental Mindoro, has called for further testing of water sources that have tested positive for arsenic in oil spill-affected areas.

The PHO has also advised the discontinuation of the use of water sources that have failed testing.

In the meantime, the PHO has been tasked with supplying water to affected communities and providing them with alternative sources.

This announcement was made during a meeting held Tuesday, May 16, in Quezon City by the Regional Inter-Agency Committee on Environmental Health Mimaropa. The meeting was called to discuss the condition of the areas affected by the recent oil spill in Oriental Mindoro.

During the meeting, the DOH announced that it will coordinate with the Epidemiology Bureau to conduct a scientific study to establish a correlation between environmental and health samples and the oil spill incident.

The agency will also conduct an assessment to establish baseline data of drinking water supply sources in shorelines of affected areas, including tourist areas.

The DOH has also reached out to the Health Facilities and Services Regulatory Bureau to determine specificity and other concerns of laboratories.

Meanwhile, the Department of Social Welfare and Development has requested additional baseline data of affected communities as a reference on needs assessment for toxicology services.