Cebu’s Water Woes Continue

Despite the slight rain showers the past few days, the number of residents in several parts of Metro Cebu who are suffering from lack of water continues to increase.

Even Metro Cebu Water District (MCWD) General Manager Ernie Delco is already affected by the lack of water in Barangay Sambag 2. He said the rain failed to replenish the water level in their almost depleted dams in Barangay Jaclupan, Talisay City and in Barangay Buhisan, Cebu City.

Most of the MCWD consumers in Cebu City’s south district and in Talisay City are getting their source of water from Jaclupan and Buhisan dams, which are heavily affected by the El Niño the country is currently experiencing.

From the previous 30,000 cubic meters, the daily water volume from the Jaclupan dam went down to 11,000 cubic meters, while water from the Buhisan dam has gone down from 10,000 cubic meters to only 2,000 cubic meters everyday.

Delco, though, said they can ask their private supplier to increase the volume of water from their source in Luyang, Carmen town, but the problem is that it is not easy to push the water passing through their main lines so it could reach the elevated areas.

Several residents in Barangays Busay, Lahug, Capitol Site, Guadalupe, Poblacion Pardo, Bulacao, Carreta, Sambag I and Sambag II in Cebu City, and in some parts of Talisay City need to stay up from midnight until dawn, when water comes out from their faucets, so they could store water.

“Kun dili ta magtukaw, wala gyud tay tubig inig kabuntag kay ang agas usahay ari na sa tunga’ng gabii ngadto sa kaadlawon unya kadali ra ‘sab kaayo mapawong,” a resident of Upper Sitio Fatima in Barangay Apas said.

Delco said he and his neighbors in Barangay Sambag 2, Cebu City are also suffering from the lack of water.

“Ako gud maligo na lang ko og usa ka balde nga tubig ug akong gisawod ang kinaligo kay maoy gigamit nako pang-flush sa comfort room,” he said.

Delco said some friends suggested that he have the valves in other areas adjusted so water can be diverted to Barangay Sambag 2, but he turned them down.

“Puwede gud unta kun buhaton gyud pero ngil-ad man sab nga mamintaha; mao nga moapil na lang mi nga magsakripisyo,” Delco said.

He advised that the people have water jars or containers in their respective homes so they could store and have water when nothing comes out of their faucets.

Meanwhile, some creative residents in elevated areas have resorted to using huge containers installed with automatic valves so that they no longer have to stay awake at night waiting for water.