Sabotage eyed in Butuan water crisis

MANILA, Philippines - Residents of Butuan City have expressed concern that those who sabotaged the facilities of the Butuan City Water District (BCWD) may have contributed to the water crisis in the city.

BCWD spokesman Ramil Barquin said BCWD engineers discovered that the steel cover of a manhole of the Taguibo River water pipeline was missing in the aftermath of Typhoon Seniang last December.

Barquin said the open manhole allowed sand and other debris to penetrate the infiltration gallery, resulting in the clogging of the main transmission pipeline.

“The possibility that the steel cover was intentionally removed to worsen the effects of Seniang on the facility cannot be discounted,” he said.

“It was unlikely that the current of the river could dislodge the heavy cover,” he added.

Butuanons also expressed dismay over the undue interest reportedly shown by Butuan City Mayor Ferdinand Amante and his brother, Councilor Sammy Amante, in BCWD projects in favor of Abejo Waters of Cebu.

A “state of water crisis” was declared in Butuan City last Monday to address the water shortage.