BY GEROME DALIPE IV
ILOILO City – The declaration of a state of calamity will allow the city government to utilize its quick response fund (QRF) to address water scarcity.
The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) proposed P12,544,200 for the purchase of additional water, and to provide for the immediate potable water needs of affected communities.
The City Council is expected to approve today the recommendation of the Iloilo City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) to place the metro under a state of calamity due to water shortage.
The council will hold a special session.
On April 17, Mayor Jerry Treñas, chairman of the CDRRMC, approved the council’s proposal for the calamity declaration due to water scarcity.
The Risk Disaster Council estimated about 23,000 individuals from 25 barangays were affected by drought. Barangays in the City Proper District are severely affected, as well as the districts of Arevalo and Mandurriao.
Bulk water distributor South Balibago Resources Inc. and Metro Pacific Iloilo Water pledged to provide water tanks to barangays.
Engr. Neil Ravena, General Services Office (GSO) and the CDRRMC Logistics Cluster head, earlier said data from their technical team showed 30 percent of the affected population.
“That is more than enough to declare the state of calamity,” said Ravena.
The council also recommended P12-million initial funding to help address the water shortage.
“The severity of the situation even widened. About 25 barangays have been affected by the drought spell,” said Ravena.
The state weather projected the rainfall will still be below normal; hence, the declaration of calamity is urgent.
Data from the council showed that some 23, 230 individuals from various districts in the city have been affected by the El Niño phenomenon.
The hot weather spawned by the drought spell triggered below-normal rainfall that resulted in the rapid decline of water level in Maasin Dam, the main raw water source of the water utility.
In its latest advisory posted on its social media page, the MPIW said the water level in Maasin Dam has dropped 93.79 meters above sea level (ASL) from 93.76 meters due to extreme heat triggered by the El Niño phenomenon.
The water utility’s total bulk water supply has reached the “critical level” from 65.379 million liters per day (MLD) to 64.637 MLD, which is also below the critical level.
The water utility earlier announced it is on “heightened alert” after the water level in Maasin Dam continues to decline rapidly.
The water utility remains on heightened alert despite the additional 10 million liters per day from one of its bulk water suppliers.
With the water demand during the drought spell, MPIW said the additional water supply from its bulk suppliers will help stabilize the water supply production to an average of 70-73 million liters per day for its 48,000 service connections.
The water utility’s bulk water suppliers source their raw water from the Tigum, Jalaur, and Againan Rivers.
MPIW has allocated about P1 billion for the renewal and rehabilitation of its pipe networks under its service areas.
The pipe upgrades and rehabilitation will reduce water losses due to leaks, hence, an increase in water supply for consumers, Josue stressed.
Pipe leaks, if not repaired, cause water losses, resulting in low water pressure and service water interruptions across the city.
These leakages occur due to many factors, such as the age and location of the pipe, rapid temperature changes, high water pressure, clogged lines, ground and soil movement, and loose water connectors or broken pipes./PN
