Potable water running out

KIDAPAWAN CITY -Safe drinking water is running out in this city and in Makilala, North Cotabato as people fear a looming selling of “overpriced” mineral water in the area.

Faucets went dry following the magnitude 6.5 quake that rocked North Cotabato on Oct. 31.

Williamor Magbanua, city information officer, said on Friday the major reservoirs of Metro Kida( pawan Water District were damaged by a landslide.

“We suffer lack of water, mineral water from stores also ran out,” Magbanua said, adding that many people are yet to take a bath since Thursday.

Magbanua added fire trucks and water tankers supply water for washing and bathe purposes but drinking water remains a problem.

StellaGonzales,waterdistrictmanager,saidrepairworkshavebeenongoing in all damaged reservoirs but frequent aftershocks also halted repair works. Aside from lack of water, Kidapawan City is also experiencing frequent power interruptions since the earthquake struck. “No water, no electricity, no stores to buy food, where are we going?” Cherry Dillis, a resident of Barangay Poblacion asked. Meanwhile, the Energy Development Corporation (EDC) that runs the Mt. Apo Geothermal Power Plant, denied its workers were trapped when the Oct. 31 tremor struck. “We confirm that all our employees have been accounted for and are safe after another strong earthquake struck Kidapawan,” EDC said in a statement. “Our M1 and M2 power plants in Mount Apo were initially affected and were put on turning gear operation only,” it added. The firm also said “structural assessments of our facilities will be conducted but right now, our priority is the safety of our employees, their families, and our community in Barangay Ilomavis, Kidapawan City.”