Cebu City Councilor David Tumulak said that the with the declaration of the state of calamity in the city, the public should also do their part in saving water. CDN Digital photo | Delta Letigio
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Cebu City Councilor David Tumulak, the deputy mayor on police matters and public order, urged the public to save water in this time when the country is experiencing the El Niño phenomenon.
Tumulak said storing water during the dry spell is needed, especially since there is a shortage in water supply in the city.
Read more: El Niño: Cebu City under state of calamity
In fact, according to data furnished by the Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD) to the city council, there are some areas in the city such as Barangays Banawa and Sambag II, and along B. Rodriguez Street where there is no water supply.
In other areas, such as Barangays Opra, Capitol Site and Camputhaw, water runs for only one hour a day.
Barangays in Cebu City and Talisay City affected by the water rationing of the Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD). CDN Digital photo | Delta Letigio
“Kailangan na gyod magsave og tubig karong panahona,” Tumulak said.
(We really need to save water at this time.)
Cebu City was placed under state of calamity due to the effects of the El Niño phenomenon on Friday, April 12, 2019.
The declaration of the state of calamity gives authority for the city to use funds to help barangays affected by the dry spell.
Tumulak said the data from MCWD caused the delay in the declaration of the state of calamity. This data was required to pass the resolution.
The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) not only has to provide the list of affected barangay and the extent of damage in the farmlands, but also the schedule for water rationing all over the city.
“Medyo na delay ang declaration sa state of calamity sa city (The declaration of state of calamity in the city was delayed) because we are asking the MCWD to submit to us the list of barangays affected, especially the time from low water to no water,” said Tumulak.
Tumulak said that MCWD submitted the data on Thursday, April 11, and it was only then that he could request for a special session from the city council for the declaration.
The schedule for the water rationing was needed so the CDRRMO could create a plan on how to utilise the firetrucks of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) to carry water to the affected barangays.
Tumulak said they will prioritize the gravely affected areas.
“Naningkamot gyod ang city nga mamenosan ang epekto sa El Niño. (The city government is working hard to ease the effects of El Niño),” said Tumulak.
Tumulak also said that the Cebu City Health will be needing dengue reagents to lessen the proliferation of dengue-carrying mosquitos and medicine for those who will be infected.
“Nag-expect ta nga mosaka ang kaso sa dengue. (We are expecting a rise in dengue cases),” said Tumulak.
For the mountain barangays, the declaration of state of calamity would mean that the City Agriculture Department can purchase additional water drums for the farmlands, the damages of which has reached P27.5 million. /bmjo