LATE in the evening of September 20, 2022, Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Chairman and CEO (Chief Executive Officer) Richard J. Gordon received reports that persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) from Cabuyao City Jail were “in dire condition”, as there was an increasing number of diarrhea cases among them with two reported fatalities.

The incident was attributed to contaminated water, PRC Laguna Administrator Frank Sorromero reported.

“Ang Red Cross ay laging una, laging handa, at laging nandyan para rumesponde sa mga ganitong health emergency,” Chairman Gordon said as he immediately ordered the deployment of a water tanker, which arrived at the jail around midnight yesterday.

Jail management officials were grateful for PRC’s fast response, as an alternate water source will be needed when they disinfect their main pipeline and water tank, which may be contaminated after a recent flooding incident in the city.

The 10,000L capacity water tanker can serve more than 1,000 individuals – considering the average daily water requirement which is 8L, including their hygiene and cooking needs.

The tanker came with accessories for water distribution: two units of water bladder, one with a 10,000-liter capacity and another with a 5,000-liter capacity; a tap stand; a hose; a hydrant key; and chlorine.

A submitted water sample from the main source and pipeline of the facility failed the Department of Health’s (DOH) microbiological test standards, and more than 70 PDLs were affected by diarrhea.

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