ILOILO – Areas distant from water sources, including dams and water districts, may gradually experience a decline in water supply, warned the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) of the Iloilo provincial government.
The PDRRMO is closely monitoring the water supply in 42 municipalities and the component city of Passi, with a focus on household usage.
The drop in water supply may likely to persist until May, said Cornelio Salinas, the PDRRMO head.
The 1st District, comprising the towns of Oton, Tigbauan, Tubungan, Igbaras, Guimbal, Miag-ao, and San Joaquin, is projected to suffer the most from water scarcity if the current dry conditions continue.
Central and northern towns are expected to face less impact due to their proximity to water district lines, including those of the Dumangas-Barotac Nuevo Water District (DBNWD) and Metro Pacific Iloilo Water (MPIW), said Salinas.
“Household water distribution should remain stable from Maasin to Iloilo City,” he said.
In preparation for potential water shortages, the Western Visayas El Niño Task Group, established last year under the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC), aims to ensure water supply needs are met.
This taskforce focuses on sectors critical for community welfare, including food, water, health security, and public safety, with support from various government agencies such as the Department of Agriculture, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Health, and the Philippine National Police.
Salinas said the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region 6, in collaboration with the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), and others, will provide water to the affected communities.
BFP Region 6 has prepared to repurpose fire trucks as water tankers for distribution in needy areas, and a water rationing scheme is ready for implementation.
Furthermore, the NIA Region 6 plans to introduce a rotational water distribution system for irrigated regions to support agricultural needs.
Salinas emphasized the importance of water conservation as a collective responsibility, urging both consumers and farmers to use water wisely and sustainably.
He highlighted the broader implications of water scarcity on livelihoods and public health, advocating for proactive measures to mitigate the impact of El Niño-related water and health issues./PN
