MCWD: NO NEW CONNECTIONS IN CEBU’S 27 SPOTS
MCWD spokesperson Charmaine Kara says most of the affected areas are in upper lands, making it difficult for water pressure to reach the potential consumers
With a “considerable” decline in water supply this month brought about by high demand, the Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD) has suspended the installation of new connections in 27 areas in Metro Cebu.
MCWD spokesperson Charmaine Kara explained that several factors, one of which is over-extraction, have created an imbalance between the recharge and extraction of water supply.
“The fast development in Metro Cebu, especially with the growth of the business process outsourcing industry, is now causing a 24/7 high demand,” she said.
As a preventive measure, the MCWD has imposed a moratorium order, which will be in effect until water supply returns to its normal level.
The identified areas with inadequate supply include Barangays Lahug, Apas, Banawa, San Jose, Talamban, Pit-os, Kamputhaw, Banilad and Suba in Cebu City. It also includes Lapu-Lapu City Barangays Punta Engaño, Maribago, Marigondon, Babag I and II, Calawisan and Agus; Barangays Gabi, Poblacion, Pilipog, Day-as, Buagsong and Catarman in Cordova town.
Other identified areas include Barangay Ibabao in Mandaue City; Barangay Lagtang in Talisay City; and Barangays Tagaytay and Calero in the northern town of Lilo-an.
Kara said that most of the affected areas are in the upper lands, making it difficult for water pressure to reach the potential consumers.
If the water supply continues to decline, Kara said that Metro Cebu may experience a possible deficit of 34,520 cubic meters of water per day in the first quarter of this year.
This would mean that scarci- ty of water supply may be experienced in the coming months should consumers continue to neglect their responsibilities in the community.
“We urge the public to store water, conserve, re-use and recycle so that we can increase the sustainability of our sources,” Kara said.
Al Quiblat, chief of the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration Mactan, said that while normal rainfall is being experienced at present, people should still continue to save water, especially as the summer season approaches.
The weather official said that El Niño is expected to occur in the second half of the year, and that about nine tropical cyclones will have landfall in the country before the end of August this year.
We urge the public to store water, conserve, reuse and recycle so that we can increase the sustainability of our sources. CHARMAINE KARA MCWD spokespeson