Barangays told to secure venues for MCWD’s free water distribution

Councilor Dave Tumulak is asking residents not to use their need for water as a reason to be unruly. /CDN File Photo

CEBU CITY, Philippines —  Cebu City Councilor Dave Tumulak is asking barangay officials to deploy tanods who will secure Metro Cebu Water District (MCWD) water distribution areas to make sure that water distribution remains peaceful and orderly.

Councilor Dave Tumulak said they decided to have the free water distribution areas secured following reports of commotion and the harassment of some of MCWD’s volunteers.

Tumulak said they have noticed in the last few days that some people who line up to get free water have started to become unruly and difficult to control.

He said that some residents would also try to insert in lines so they could have their pales and other water containers filled with water ahead of the others.

While he understand the residents frustration brought about by the scarcity of water supply in their areas, this should not be a reason for them to forget basic courtesy and the need to show respect for the volunteers.

“We appeal to the people to stop harassing the volunteers because they are simply doing their job. They are not even paid for it. Let us not treat them badly and respect them,” said Tumulak.

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Tumulak is also urging MCWD to deploy more water tankers in areas with low to no water supply to improve their water distribution efficiency.

He said that MCWD owns very few water tankers for water distribution. Water tankers from the city government, the barangays and the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) are now sent to bring water to the barangays.

“Ang nahitabo man gud karon, mas daghan pang city owned and barangay owned firetrucks nga gi-pangdeploy at the expense sa city government in terms of fuel. Sila pud unta sa MCWD mo tabang og distribute. Three tankers is not enough,” said Tumulak.

(Right now, more city and barangay-owned trucks are deployed to bring water to the barangays at the expense of the city government that spends on its fuel allocation. MCWD should take more responsibility in water distribution. Deploying three water tankers is not enough.) /dcb