originally posted on May 21, 2016

THE Cebu City Government and the Metro Cebu Water District will install water stations in areas with low pressure to no water brought about by the ongoing drought.

The City will also be working with the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in identifying the areas for installation.

“We will be coordinating the list of areas where the MCWD water is not running at this time with the list of those who are calling about water so that we can come up with a list as to where the water stations will be,” said Acting Mayor Margarita Osmeña in her news conference last Friday.

According to MCWD, there are 32 areas in the north district and 15 in the south district, which have been experiencing little to no flowing water for almost two months now.

These are Barangays Calamba, Capitol Site, Kamputhaw, Oprra, Sta. Cruz, Sambag 1, Sambag 2, Ramos, San Antonio, Pahina Central, Kalubihan, Carreta, Lahug and Apas.

The residents and establishments of the North Reclamation and Pier areas have experienced little to no water for the past two months.

Also affected are Barangays San Jose, Talamban, Mabolo, Banilad, Guadalupe, Ermita, Tejero, Luz, Buhisan, Busay, Zapatera, Sto. Niño, Tejero, Tinago, Lorega-San Miguel and Parian. Affected areas in the south include Barangays Bulacao, Poblacion Pardo, Quiot, Kinasang-an, Basak San Nicolas, Mambaling, Duljo, San Nicolas Proper, Pahina San Nicolas, Sawang Calero, Suba, Pasil, Ermita, Punta Princesa, Tisa and Labangon.

“We are delivering water in affected areas but only upon request under Operation Tubig, the City’s water project. Still under the same project, the water stations will have one portable container each that can accommodate 4,200 liters,” Osmeña said.

She said tanks that are no longer running water will still be used as containers.

“We will have the PWRI (Pilipinas Water Resources Incorporated) deliver water in those tanks and households should also limit their consumption. There are also reports of residents who are selling their share of water and that should not be,” she said.

The acting mayor said that the water stations will serve as stop-gaps because the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration forecast that the dry spell is expected to continue until June, the start of the rainy season. RTF