SEVERAL restaurants in Cagayan de Oro City have stopped serving complimentary water and drinks with ice amid reports of stomach-related illnesses and alleged amoeba contamination.
The precautionary measures were announced even as the Cagayan de Oro Water District (COWD) confirmed that recent tests showed no contamination.
The Fat Chef Management announced on its Facebook page that it has temporarily halted serving complimentary purified water, soft drinks with ice, and raw foods like kinilaw (ceviche) and salads.
The restaurant clarified that while its water undergoes a purification system, its source is still the water district.
Similarly, Ribs and Bibs announced it has shifted to using 100% mineral water for both cooking and drinking and has temporarily suspended serving fruit shakes to minimize risk.
Meanwhile, COWD General Manager Edna Najeal said in a press conference today, September 22, that initial tests for amoeba contamination were negative.
However, the water district conducted a second round of testing in areas with a higher prevalence of stomach-related illnesses.
“But we cannot give you yet the final result kay di mana mugawas diritso,” Najeal said, referring to the second test results.
She also assured the public that COWD is coordinating with the Department of Health and the City Health Office.
When asked about possible sources of contamination, Najeal said that some may be due to “naay nagbinuang sa reservoir but we have security guards.”
“Atong gina make sure nga safe atong reservoirs as it will be a great problem if there is contamination,” she added.
Najeal also cited exposed pipelines in canals as another possible reason for contamination, urging concessionaires to rehabilitate such lines.
“Dili pwede nga naay buslot ang pipeline sa water district, it will lead to contamination, gasundon namo na permi,” she said.
