CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, (PNA) -–A city councilor on Monday has criticized the “dirty” condition of the

public markets that might compromise the health of local residents here.

City Councilor Adrian Barba made a special report to the City Council about the unsanitary condition of
the public market in Carmen, one of the largest public markets in the city, caused by filthy and stagnant
water.

He said that the unsanitary condition of the Carmen Market, especially the meat, fish and vegetable
sections might be the source of leptospirosis to the public.

The “Medical News Today” said that leptospirosis is a bacterial infection usually transmitted to humans
when people with unhealed breaks in the skin, come in contact with the water or soil that has been
contaminated with animal urine especially that of the rats.

Barba made the observation during a visit at the city’s public markets here. “This malady should be
addressed immediately,” Barba urged the city council’s committee on health and sanitation.

He said that the city officials have a mandate to maintain the health and safety standards of the public
markets for the welfare of the consuming public.

HOME. At Market 3, a community of informal settlers in Barangay North Boulevard Bay North (NBBN) in
Navotas City, hills of trash are everywhere. All photos by Fritzie Rodriguez

MANILA, Philippines – The air smelled of fish, fresh off the water.

It rained the night before, leaving the ground wet with urine and washed-out garbage.
After a while, it gets hard to distinguish the odors from one another.

This is how mornings unfold in “Market 3”, a community of informal settlers in Barangay
North Boulevard Bay North (NBBN) in Navotas City. It got its name from its locatiion –
near a fish market.

Right beside it is the Navotas Fish Port, one of Asia’s largest fish centers. Despite an
abundance of seafood, the community is in dire need. In Market 3, many children go to
bed on an empty stomach. Their parents mostly work as fishers or vendors;
unfortunately, they cannot afford their own fish.

In the Philippines, fisherfolk remain the poorest basic sector, next to farmers. Can you
guess the 3rdpoorest group?

It’s children.

Of water and toilets

In Market 3, children run side by side with stray dogs. Both have patches on their skin:
the dogs sport bald spots left by fleas, and the children have rashes peeking from their
holed shirts.
Barefoot, children jump over dirty puddles. They laugh, grateful for the water, no matter
how dirty.

There are hills of trash everywhere. Children climb the hills to play; other times, they go
there to relieve themselves.

These children are growing up without showers and toilets. Clean water, for them, is
a luxury.

LINING UP. Water jugs are for clean drinking water, but they cost P30 each, which not everyone can
afford

A jug of drinking water for one family costs around P30 a week, while water for washing
is P20 per week. That’s P200 a month, a bill too big for some families.

In Market 3, defecating out in the open is normal. Residents wrap their waste in
newspapers or plastic bags, before “shooting them into space.” In jest, they call these
“flying saucers.”
As of 2011, 9.6% of Filipino households don’t have toilets, according to the National
Nutrition Survey.

Other Stories

Rappler journalists finalists in Save the Children Media Awards

Four Rappler journalists are recognized for their articles and photographs that uncover child hunger and
malnutrition in the Philippines

When a child raises a child

An 18-year-old mother tries her best to keep her 1-year-old malnourished baby alive

Rappler wins in the Save the Children Media Awards

Rappler bags 3 awards: Most Outstanding Article, People's Choice Award for an Article, and Most
Outstanding Online Video Feature

While some families in Market 3 own toilets, several others don’t. They depend on a
communal bathroom, which charges P5 per use. Not everyone can afford the fee.

The communal toilet serves around 900 Filipinos living in Market 3. This alone is too
difficult to imagine.

Diarrhea, death

A little rain could spell big trouble.

Market 3 lacks proper drainage and waste management systems, hence the frequent
floods and the flow of trash.

On bad days, the flooding could go above an adult’s waist. This could already drown a
small child.
AMONG THE POOREST. Next to farmers and fisherfolk, the third poorest basic sector in the Philippines
are the children

Such unsanitary environment makes residents, especially children, more vulnerable to

diarrhea and other diseases.

“Many children experience cough and colds,” said Dr Elenita Felipe of the NBBN
barangay health center. “Also diarrhea especially during the rainy season,” Felipe
added. “It’s due to poor water sanitation.”

Diarrhea is among the leading causes of death among children under 5 years old. It’s
both a cause and effect of malnutrition.
In fact, malnourished children are at a higher risk of dying due to diarrhea.

While budget is an issue, some parents also lack knowledge on hygiene and sanitation.
Some don’t boil water before using, Felipe observed.

Children’s wounds are often infected since they play in flood water.

“Some children play in the mud, they play with maggots. And there are rats here as big
as cats,” said Rogelina Balderian, Save the Children’s community mobilizer in Navotas
City.

How you can help

Proper nutrition is linked to cleanliness.

In Market 3, Save the Children will be conducting a solid waste management training, in
partnership with the Fish Port Authority and the barangay.

By eliminating trash and flood in the area, children are saved from falling ill. While
NBBN’s barangay health center is doing its best, limited resources make it hard to
create effective change.

In March 2016, Save the Children began its nutrition program in NBBN, in partnership
with barangay health workers. Its Community-based Management of Malnutrition
(CMAM) program successfully treated 117 moderately acute children in Market 3.

Currently, 5 severely malnourished babies are being treated in the area. Parents are
also being educated on proper nutrition and childcare, while barangay health workers
are trained on handling child malnutrition.

Save the Children’s CMAM program is fully funded by local donors.

Due to the generosity of supporters, the program will soon expand to 5 other barangays
in Navotas City.

As the rainy season starts, the children of Market 3 would be fighting off more than just
rain and floodwater. Some would be battling for their lives. – Rappler.com

Fritzie Rodriguez is a development writer at Save the Children. She is a former

journalist who covered issues on LGBT, women, and children’s rights.
Save the Children is the world’s leading independent children’s organization working on
health, nutrition, education, emergencies, child protection, and child rights governance.
For those who want to be part of its fight against child malnutrition, kindly
visit #LahatDapat, Save the Children’s nutrition campaign. You can also donate
online here.