The 10 areas in Panglao being monitored for coliform contamination passed the latest laboratory test conducted by the Provincial Health Office Water Laboratory.
The 10 sampling sites included Dumaluan Beach I and Dumaluan Beach II in Bolod; Amorita Cliff, Alona Tropical (fronting restaurant), and Alona Kew in Tawala; Lost Horizon, Bohol Divers Resort, and Linaw Beach Resort in barangay Danao; and Bellevue and Muro Ami Beach Resort in Doljo.
Amorita Cliff and Lost Horizon which previously failed in the bacteriology examination had improved and passed the latest round of water sampling conducted on May 9.
In the PHO water laboratory standard, the limit for total coliform is 1,000 mpn (most probable number) per 100ml of the sample and 100mpn/100 ml of the sample for fecal coliform.
PHO laboratory analysis shows that Amorita Cliff in barangay Tawala, had 49 mpn for total coliform and 4 mpn for fecal coliform.
Lost Horizon in barangay Danao has 49 mpn for total coliform and 33 mpn for fecal coliform.
The two other areas in barangay Danao also passed the water analysis. Bohol Divers had 49 mpn in total coliform and 17 mpn in fecal coliform. Linaw Beach Resort had 33 mpn in total coliform and 17 mpn in fecal coliform.
Alona Tropical in barangay Tawala had 79 mpn in total coliform and 33 mpn in fecal coliform. Alona Kew, also in barangay Tawala had 79 mpn in total coliform and 22 mpn in fecal coliform.
Both Dumaluan Beach I and Dumaluan Beach II in barangay Bolod had 130 mpn in total coliform and 79 mpn in fecal coliform.
Bellevue Resort in barangay Doljo had 23 mpn in total coliform and 13 mpn in fecal coliform.
Muro Ami Resort, also in barangay in Doljo, had 49 mpn in total coliform and 8 mpn in fecal coliform.
The joint monthly sampling conducted on May 9 by the Environment Management Bureau (EMB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Provincial Health Office (PHO) group covered 10 sampling sites spanning from Dumaluan Beach in barangay Bolod up to the Muro Ami portion of barangay Doljo in Panglao.
The report signed by Engr. Arsenio Torrejos, in-charge for the PHO Septage Laboratory, and noted by Provincial Health Officer Reymoses Cabagnot, was submitted to Gov. Edgar Chatto.
Provincial health consultant, Dr. Yul Lopez, declared on Friday that the latest results from PHO Water Laboratory show that Panglao seawaters are now safe for swimming.
Vice-Governor Dionisio Balite earlier said that a family member contracted skin problem after swimming in Panglao seawaters.
In April 24 sampling, the seawaters along Amorita area passed the total coliform test with only 172 mpn/100ml; but failed in the fecal coliform test, having 109mpn/100ml.
He explained that their medical technologist would mark as “failed” one of the two parameters is not met for safety.
Torrejos also noted that in the first sampling that they did, the total coliform test on Alona Tropical area, fronting the restaurant, showed 2,000mpn/100ml.
However, at that time, they could not pinpoint as to the exact contributory to the contamination, considering the Amorita nearby, the Alona Tropical and Hennan, in addition to the pumpboats in the vicinity.
For Lost Horizon area, Torrejos said the samples passed the total coliform test, but failed in the fecal coliform test from the April 24 sampling.
The official result, however, will be the one coming from EMB-7 laboratory, Torrejos explained.