By Alyanna Gabas and Yra Suarin | September 12, 2024
The Silliman University (SU) Angelo King Center for Research and Environmental Management revealed in a study a rise in Escherichia coli (E. coli) levels and bacterial contamination at Silliman Beach.
The study determined increased pollution, with E. coli concentrations reaching 47.2 million colonies per 100 mL of beach water.
E. coli, a bacteria commonly found in the feces of humans and animals, can cause food poisoning, diarrhea, and other serious infections. Its levels in water indicate contamination from human fecal matter.
High levels indicate unsafe conditions for activities like swimming, posing health risks such as gastrointestinal illnesses.
SU Institute of Environmental and Marine Sciences Dean Janet Estacion said that the primary sources of pollution include the geographical location of the beach, heavy rains, and typhoons.
“Silliman Beach has a small creek from the side that combs all the way to the top [and] empties [into] the Silliman Beach […] When there is a massive rain sa itaas [up in the area], all the plastic comes down,” she said
Dr. Estacion also emphasized the need to address the outfall where a canal discharges since it affects both the barangay and many Silliman Beach visitors and locals.
Furthermore, she said that waste management and “political will” are long-term solutions that can resolve the ongoing pollution.
She said, “If there’s a political will, then it becomes a cooperation of people which can lead to policies.”
Local’s Perspectives
To the locals living near the beach, the waters are not polluted, stating that foul odor and wastes only occur during floods.
“Atong higayona, dala man gud to sa baha […] anod to sa ulan ba, kusog kaayo ang baha, mao tong na baho [It happened during the flood. The trash was washed onto the beach because of the strong currents, which caused the bad smell.],” a resident stated.
Locals in the area conduct a clean up drive every Saturday together with organizations and volunteers.
“Pag daot raman gud na dai, tinuod na day, kanang dagat diri, wala ingon nga gipasagdan [It was really just misinformation. The beach here isn’t being neglected.],” the resident added.
However, a resident expressed that organizations only conduct cleanup drives due to elections, with the belief that politicians use these efforts to gain favor by providing financial support.
“Aduy, magpakita ranag clean up drive ma election, and that is true [They only show up for a clean up drive when it’s election time],” they said.
Actions by Sillimanians
SU Student Government Environment Committee Co-Chairperson Luke Laurenciana said that finding a long-term solution for the pollution “is really challenging because of the different factors that affect the pollution.”
Meanwhile, Ang Sandigan President Antonio Delicana emphasized that while they can manage cleanup efforts, they are unable to address the rising E. coli levels.
“As an organization, mao rajud ang amo makaya, all we can do is clean lang gyud [As an organization, that’s all we can manage. All we can do is just clean up],” he said.
Ang Sandigan conducted a cleanup drive at Silliman Beach last April 2023.
Currently, the organization is in talks with the Sangguniang Kabataan ng Bantayan to collaborate on environmental initiatives.
