Newscast: The World Tonight - Broadcast date: 09/20/96
Homepage: ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp.
Copyright © 1996, ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp.
Subject: FEW TAKERS, BARBERS ALONE
Newscast: TWTONITE - Air Date: 09/20/96Interior Secretary Robert Barbers has found an ally in his fight against corrupt prosecutors, Justice Secretary Teofisto Guingona.
Guingona wants to find out if there's enough basis for sanctions against three fiscals branded by Barbers as fix-cals. The interior department believes there's enough ground to criminally charge fiscals Hilda Ibuyan, Virgilio Patag and Eduardo Garcia.
The Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) also threw in their support for Barbers' cause. IBP President Raoul Angangco says their organization can work on the disbarment of the fiscals. But the public should first come forward to complain.
But very few lawyers or litigants are willing to pick a fight with corrupt prosecutors or judges. They fear stepping on the toes of the powers that be those who could jeopardize their cases or worse their careers. Barbers may soon find himself fighting a lonely battle.
Subject: LITTLE HOPE FOR HEALTH CARE
Newscast: TWTONITE - Air Date: 09/20/96For the past days staying healthy has been in the minds of many because of the recent upsurge of dengue fever and cholera. But it's government that faces a bigger challenge, providing health care for everyone is proving to be a big headache.
It could have been much worse but the cholera outbreak in the city of Manila was contained and treated correctly. Out of the 357 cases reported in 15 days only 5 died. That's a fatality rate of 1.4 percent. And the Health Department is proud.
The city of Manila released one million pesos for the treatment of cholera victims. It spent an average of 2 thousand pesos per patient almost all the patients were indigents.
Government could have responded more effectively with a comprehensive health care system in place. The problem is the National Health Insurance act only became law last year. It was designed to give all Filipinos medical care specifically the 44 million not covered by the SSS and GSIS. The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PHIC) has only begun to deal with local government units.
PHIC indicators for classification of indigents :The process begins with indigents signing up for the program. They are then classified through a long technical process of questions and surveys. It will take 15 years for the program to be fully in place. With the millions in need of free medical care the PHIC will need all the time it can get.
-----------------------------------------------------------1. food and nutrition
2. health
3. shelter
4. appliances
5. sanitation
6. immunization
7. community particiaption
Subject: IN THE PROVINCES
Newscast: TWTONITE - Air Date: 09/19/96Cholera cases in Manila have declined but now, there is an outbreak of cholera and typhoid fever in two towns in Negros Oriental. Two people have already died of cholera. Local officials from the health department say there are 30 cases of cholera in Bayawan and 20 cases of typhoid fever in Guilhungan. Health officials suspect the outbreak was caused by contaminated water.
Subject: QUALITY OF WATER
Newscast: TWTONITE - Air Date: 09/20/96The recent outbreak of cholera raised concerns about the quality of water in the city. The MWSS believes privatization is the only solution but even that will take sometime.
The water supply at the MWSS filtration plants is probably one of the cleanest in the world. It is during the distribution that the problem begins. By the time the water reaches your faucet it may already have been contaminated again.
The leaks do not just mean lost income. They also mean great risks to the health of the very people who illegally tap into MWSS pipes. Water pilferers conceal these illegal connections by submerging them in stagnant canal water the illegal lines often crisscross sewer lines. Disease spreads not just through the pipes but also through the thriving street food businesses.
Government hopes privatizing the MWSS will solve the water problem. But it will be a long process. The winning bidders will be given ten years to improve the system. In the meantime drinking water may be just be one of the many risks of living in this city.
Go Back To News Service Index
Subject: BOTTLED WATER BUSINESS BOOM
Newscast: TWTONITE - Air Date: 09/20/96The water problem aside from causing illness is also one of the remaining setbacks in the country's development. But not everyone feels all that bad. Some sectors are benefitting from the problem. The last few years have seen a surge in the sale of bottled water and water purifiers no thanks to the country's perennial water problem. An industry study shows the market grew by 60 percent annually in the past 5 years. And the growth is expected to reach 50-percent yearly until the year 2-thousand.
Top 2 manufacturers of bottled water :
--------------------------------------------------
La Tondeña's First Viva Mineral Water (ave. 360 % growth since '92)
Metro Pacific's Wilkins Distilled Water (ave. 25 % growth since '92)Manufacturers also boast of substantial gains. They say the lack of confidence in the MWSS the growing health consciousness among urban dwellers and recently the cholera scare are boosting their sales.
But trying to avoid illness costs money. An average household consumes at least 20 gallons of bottled water a month that's worth about 600 pesos. Some water purifiers can cost up to 20-thousand pesos. But some people would rather spend now than pay a higher price in the future.