Flood victims in evacuation centers lack clean water supply

Some evacuation centers are looking for steady sources of clean and potable water for families displaced by the floods brought by tropical cyclone Carina and the enhanced Habagat (Southwest Monsoon). 

According to Tina Panganiban-Perez’s report in “24 Oras” on Friday, water concessionaires Manila Water and Maynilad deliver water tankers to some evacuation centers. 

“Yung konting comfort lang na mapo-provide sa pamamagitan ng pagkakaroon ng malinis na tubig na maiinom, yun yung ating pinagtutuunan ng pansin sa mga panahon ng sakuna o kalamidad,” said Manila Water corporate communications head Dittie Galang. 

(The small effort to provide potable water for drinking is something we are focusing on in times of calamities or disasters.) 

There are over 1,500 evacuees in Malanday Bay Elementary School in Marikina City, hence the water supply is not enough for everyone. 

“Minsan po talaga nawawalan ng tubig…May dumarating naman na parang truck ng tubig,” said Floralyn Lacre. 

(Sometimes, there was no water available…Thankfully, there’s a truck of water that comes.) 

“Mahirap lalo na sa CR, pag nag-CR,” said Jelie Tario. 

(Our situation is very hard especially when we need to use the CR.) 

Meanwhile, Maynilad also delivered a water tanker to the Baseco Evacuation Center in Manila. 

“We found na yung evacuation centers sa Baseco ay medyo kulang sa tubig na nanggagaling doon sa kanilang faucet. So pati yung mga toilet, hindi masyadong naaabot ng tubig,” said Marie Antonette de Ocampo, Maynilad Corporate Affairs and Communication SAVP and head. 

(We found that the evacuation centers in Baseco do not have much water from their faucets. So even the toilets are not reached by water.) 

The two water companies said that they would continue to provide clean water to evacuation centers. 

For those needing assistance, the concessionaires can be contacted through 1627 (Manila Water) and 1626 (Maynilad), or through their social media pages, the report said. —Vince Ferreras/LDF, GMA Integrated News