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By Darwin G. Amojelar,
Reporter
The World Bank on Wednesday said
poor sanitation in the Philippines costs the government P77.8
billion a year.
In its study “Economic Impacts
of Sanitation in the Philippines,” the World Bank said poor
sanitation also causes 31 premature deaths a day and reduces income
from fishery, tourism and other sectors.
“Healthcare costs account for
71 percent of the total losses due to 38 million cases of diarrhea
per year,” it added.
For every dollar invested in
improved sanitation, the World Health Organization had said, a
country can reap up to $9 in benefits.
The World Bank study, which was
also funded by the United States Agency for International
Development (USAID), will be launched on February 18 in Mandaluyong
City under the theme “Sanitasyon ang Solusyon” (Sanitation is
the Solution). Expected to attend are the city’s Mayor Benjamin
Abalos Jr., Health Secretary Francisco Duque, Environment Secretary
Lito Atienza, Rep. Belma Cabilao of Zamboanga Sibugay and Miss Earth
Philippines 2007 Jeanne Harn. Cabilao heads the House Committee on
Ecology.
The launch aims to heighten
public awareness on the national economic impacts of poor sanitation
and call on lawmakers, economists, investors and media to help solve
the problem. There, Duque and Atienza are expected to present the
“Operations Manual on the Rules and Regulations Governing Domestic
Sludge and Septage,” published by the Health department with
support from the US aid agency.
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