LOS BAÑOS, LAGUNA – The College of Public Affairs and Development (CPAf) through the Development Innovations and Policy Laboratory (DIP Lab) organized a discussion meeting last July 5, 2024, to address recent public concerns over the arsenic content in Los Baños’ domestic water. It was attended by the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) Chancellor, Dr.Jose V. Camacho, Jr., Professor Emeritus and National Academy of Science and Technology Philippines (NAST PHL) Academician Dr. Agnes C. Rola and was also joined by researchers and experts from the UPLB Nanotechnology Program, Institute of Chemistry, Institute of Biological Sciences, and the UPOU Faculty of Management and Development Studies. The meeting served as an opportunity for the UPLB scientists to come together and engage in a collaborative exchange of knowledge and insights concerning a real-life challenge to communities. Arising from this is another display of UPLB’s town-and-gown approach at work.

During the meeting, experts discussed key facts about the hazards of arsenic in the water supply. Arsenic as a hazardous and naturally occurring chemical in groundwater, is one of the many threats to drinking water safety (WHO, 2017). When arsenic is ingested, 98% is excreted from the human body in 2-3 days. However, the remaining  2% can accumulate in time and can affect human health while symptoms may only manifest after 5 to 15 years of exposure. Long-term exposure to arsenic can cause cancer, and skin lesions, and has also been associated with cardiovascular disease and diabetes. The toxic amount of consumption of arsenic in drinking water is 10 μg/L as per the World Health Organization (WHO) provisional guidelines in 2022. It is crucial to note that arsenic is colorless, odorless, and tasteless, and cannot be removed by simply boiling water. It can however be filtered out from the water through reverse osmosis technology used in many water filtration and refilling stations.

In the discussion, Dr. Rola shared her research with the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI) focusing on governance limitations for drinking water safety, with hopes to encouraging pursuit of a deeper understanding of the water safety issue in the community while promoting collaboration among UPLB researchers, as well public and private sectors for continuing research and policy reforms. 

Dr. Nina Cadiz of UPLB Institute of Biological Sciences also shared some insights about the possible sources of arsenic in Los Baños, Laguna. According to her, Los Baños is situated near a volcanic area and a known geothermal source of energy, where water is usually warm. Higher ground water temperature is in turn associated with increased concentration of arsenic. The situation is exacerbated by excessive water extraction due to the growing population, use of high amounts of pesticides and fertilizers, and other man-made anthropogenic activities, Dr. Cadiz added.

Retired professors, Dr. Milagros Peralta and Dr. Engelbert Peralta, shared a water filtration technology that utilizes carbonized rice hull. Such is an example of relevant past research at the Institute for Chemistry that was developed for commercialization. The work continues under the UPLB Nanotechnology Program, which is equipped with the necessary equipment for the conduct of water testing services.

Assistant Professor John Vincent Pleto shared that a team from IBS has put together a research proposal to investigate the arsenic contamination in Los Baños. Unfortunately, they were advised to submit it to another DOST Council for funding. The proposal, which was also co-written by Dr. Ronilo Flores, can be repackaged to include current issues and concerns.

Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Dr. Agham Cuevas, interjected with a clarification about recent events that teased out the issue of arsenic contamination in the domestic water. While the water shortage concern has seen some improvements in the affected areas, he emphasized that such a problem is intertwined with corporate management concerns that can be addressed through nuanced negotiations among stakeholders. On the other hand, the concern about water safety can be approached differently. Dr. Aileen Lapitan, CPAf Dean, added that current concerns about arsenic contamination in the community’s water is an opportunity to rally UPLB expertise behind efforts to alleviate the situation. For instance, UPLB, through the newly institutionalized DIP Lab, can help spread awareness about water safety and the different mitigating measures as informed by S&T such as promotion of sustainable agriculture practices and supportive policy reforms. 

Down the road, a meeting with the management and major shareholders of Laguna Water District Aquatech Resources Corporation (LARC), which is responsible for delivering potable water supply to the municipalities of Los Baños, Bay, and Calauan Laguna, is anticipated. The Center for Strategic Planning and Policy Studies (CSPPS)-CPAf also plans to conduct research to map experts and studies on arsenic in groundwater to better understand the issue and identify key areas for further study and intervention. With this initial meeting, the initiative to focus policy reform efforts toward addressing water safety issues in UPLB’s neighboring communities has just begun. Together with local government partners and other stakeholders, this collaborative UPLB team moves forward.

Learn more about the DIP Lab by visiting its Facebook page (@diplab.uplb), Twitter page (@diplab_uplb), website (diplab.uplb.edu.ph) or sending an email to diplab.uplb@up.edu.ph.

Written by: Maria Ronna R. Arcillas