Nat’l Candidates Urged to Make Water Security an Agenda

(PIA) — As Metro Cebu’s supply for water from its surface water source now yielding negative production, Cebuanos are urged to ask national candidates for their agenda on water security.

Charmaine Rodriguez Kara, public affairs department head of the Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD), said water demand is increasing in Cebu and that its reservoir, the Buhisan Dam, has dried up producing zero water output because of the El Niño.

“Since the first week of March, the Buhisan Dam has produced zero yield,” said Kara during a forum of the Association of Government Information Officers-Philippine Information Agency (AGIO-PIA7) that tackled on the annual observance of March as Water Month.

The Buhisan Dam usually produces 7,000 cubic meters of water daily for Metro Cebu but because of the El Niño, the water in the reservoir gradually fell to critical levels until it reached zero yield, said Kara.

Kara said the dry spell has largely affected the surface water sources of the MCWD but its groundwater source is not significantly affected.

PAGASA-Visayas Chief Engr. Oscar Tabada on the other hand, warned that Cebu will be deficit of rainwater between 21 to 60 percent and around April to May, drought is likely to occur as rainwater deficit will be over 60 percent.

MCWD meanwhile, covers 43 percent of the franchise areas in Cebu while daily water needs constitute about 225,000 cubic meters a day of which 35,000 cubic meters is sourced from the Luyang River in Carmen.

As drought is anticipated due to the dry spell, Kara said the MCWD starting April will be seeking additional 5,000 cubic meters daily from the Cebu-Manila Development Corp. which is supplying the water piped from Carmen.

Since the MCWD will now be sourcing additional water from a private water utility company starting April, this will mean a slight adjustment in the water rate bill, said Kara.

“Water is a security issue. And since it’s election time, we appeal to the public to demand from candidates in the national level to prioritize water security as part of their agenda,” said Kara.

Kara said it is time to ask candidates on their plan for Metro Cebu which includes proposal to construct water dams. (rmn/fcr/PIA7)