‘Scarce water supply remains’

CEBU, Philippines — Water supplies of the Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD) continue to dwindle amid the dry season.

MCWD Spokesperson Charmaine Rodriquez-Kara said the water district is now facing a daily deficit of 5,000 cubic meters.

MCWD’s wells in Barangay Jaclupan, Talisay City is now down to producing 28,000 cubic meters of water per day from the usual 33,000 cubic meters.

The Buhisan Dam, which also supplies MCWD, is now 3,000 cubic meters short of water supply. Its average daily production is 6,000 cubic meters.

Because of these water supply deficiencies, Kara said some water consumers may experience low to no water pressure during peak hours from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.

Among the affected areas are in Talisay City up to downtown and coastal areas in Cebu City, as well as some interior portions.

These include barangays Bulacao, Inayawan, Cogon Pardo, Kinasang-an, Basak San Nicolas, Basak Pardo, Quiot, Mambaling, Duljo Fatima, San Nicolas Proper, Sawang Calero, Suba, Pasil, Pahina San Nicolas, Pahina Central, Kalubihan, Ermita, Kamputhaw, Sto. Niño, Pari-an, San Roque, Tinago, Tejero, Lorega San Miguel, Tisa, Punta Princesa, Labangon, Guadalupe, Capitol Site, Kalunasan, Sambag 1, Sambag 2, Sta. Cruz, Cogon Ramos, Zapatera, Day-as, and San Antonio, all in Cebu City.

MCWD advised its consumers to conserve water.

Jaclupan Watershed supplies potable water to the entire Talisay City, which has a population of over 227,000, and portions of southern Cebu City such as barangays Bulacao and Pardo.

Buhisan, on the other hand, is the source of potable water for residents and establishments in downtown and uptown areas of Cebu City, including Barangay Mabolo.

The decrease in water supply in the Jaclupan Watershed and Buhisan Dam is attributed to insufficient rain following the onset of the dry season on April 10.

The dry season will last until June. — KBQ (FREEMAN)