The taps are still dry.
A large part of Metro Manila will continue to be waterless until midnight tonight as workers of the Maynilad Water Services Inc. failed to finish repairing a busted valve in Novaliches, Quezon City.
The repair work was supposed to have been completed last night, but Maynilad's Irene Gonzales said workers had difficulty getting through the thick and hard adobe walls protecting the broken pipe.
Areas that will remain waterless are the whole of Caloocan City, Pasay City, Valenzuela City, Navotas, Malabon and Manila's Tondo, Sta. Ana, Sta. Cruz, Quiapo, Sampaloc, Intramuros and San Andres districts.
Makati City's Pio del Pilar, San Antonio Village, La Paz and Kayamanan C will experience low water pressure to no water at all.
Interior and Local Government Secretary Alfredo Lim said he has already ordered the deployment of firetrucks in the affected areas to supply water.
"Make sure that residents in the metropolis will be provided with clean drinking water," Lim said in a memorandum to Assistant Secretary for Public Safety Reynaldo Jaylo and Superintendent Francisco Senot of the Bureau of Fire Protection.
"Let no resident of Manila be without clean water for domestic use," he added.
Manila Mayor Lito Atienza said he has mobilized at least 45 water tankers to provide water in the affected areas.
"We are urging the public to bear with the inconveniences of the moment. This time of crisis calls for unity and cooperation," he said after receiving reports of petty quarrels among those who were queuing for water.
"Do not panic," he said. "We are prepared for the worst. There will be enough water for everyone and we will see to that."
In Caloocan, tempers flared even if Mayor Reynaldo Malonzo had already hired a private company to supply water in his densely populated city.
"Ang haba ng pila. Nahihirapan na kaming kumuha sa rasyon ng tubig (The line is long. We are already having difficulty getting water)," said 63-year-old Lourdes Testor.
The water interruption was so severe that work in the central office of the Commission on Elections in Intramuros was suspended at noon yesterday.
"Considering the non-availability of water supply at the Intramuros area since yesterday to the inconvenience and discomfort of all Comelec personnel holding offices at the main building and Palacio del Gobernado ... office hours will be suspended at noon today," Comelec executive director Resurreccion Borra said in a memorandum.
Maynilad's Gonzales said the repair work actually began when they received reports of a busted watermain in Novaliches. The 3,200 millimeter pipe serves as a supply line to a big part of Maynilad's concession area from the La Mesa treatment plant.
The pipe burst due to build-up of water pressure following the accidental closure of a valve being repaired at the corner of Tandang Sora and Quirino Highway in Quezon City.
Gonzales said that once the repair is completed, water would be gradually supplied to the affected areas.
However, she cautioned residents against using the water immediately as dirt had seeped in the pipes during the repair work.
She advised the public to allow water to flow from their taps for a couple of minutes before using it.
Gonzales also said Maynilad will open several air valves, fire hydrants and blow-offs located at the low portions of the metropolis to flush out the dirt.
Maynilad said customers can call them up at 1626 for the schedule of water rationing in their areas. But the line is often overloaded and calls can't get through, dehydrated residents said. --