Barangay in Imus, Cavite endures 6 months of unsteady water supply

Residents of Barangay Bucandala 3 in Imus, Cavite lamented that their water supply had been irregular for the past six months.

According to Oscar Oida’s report on “24 Oras” on Tuesday, residents said they experienced either low pressure if not an outright water service interruption from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. daily.

“Sakripisyo po kasi kailangan po talaga namin ng tubig araw-araw para makahugas. ‘Yun po ang daily need namin (tubig) kaya sana po maayos po ang tubig,” Freddie Cortez, a resident, lamented.

(It is such a sacrifice because we need water daily to wash. I hope the water supply will be fixed.)

Another resident, Corazon Rabimbe urged Maynilad Water Services Inc. to address their water supply woes.

“Kung wala ka ipon dito ng tubig, saan ka iigib? Kagaya sa akin na nagmamanhind na aking kamay… maglalaba ka, maghihintay ka pa ng 10 p.m. Gaano kahirap yun?” Rambibe said.

(If you cannot store water here, where will you get it? People like me, who have problems with their hands. I have to do the laundry, but I still must wait until 10 p.m.? Can you imagine the difficulty?)

“Ayusin nila ang koneksyon ng tubig dito sa nasasakupan,” she added.

(They should fix the water connection in our area.)

Maynilad Corporate Communications Head Jennifer Rufo apologized for their failure to normalize the water supply for their customers.

Rufo also admitted that it was difficult supplying enough water in the area due to its location.

“Dulong-dulo ito so talagang ‘di pa siya talaga 24 hours na may tubig… pag mataas ang lugar, kailangang marami ang supply at kailangan ma-i-push ito ng pumping station para makarating sa elevated portions,” she said.

(It is at the far end, so the water supply isn't really available for 24 hours. When the area is in a higher location, there needs to be a lot of water, and the pumping station needs to be able to push it to get to the elevated portions.)

“And unfortunately, kapag mayroon tayong concerns hinggil sa production ng ating mga planta, sila yung unang nakakaramdam dahil dulong-dulo sila ng ating network,” she added.

(And unfortunately, when we have concerns with our operation, they are the first to be affected because they are at the far end of our network.)

To fix the problem, Rufo said they were building a third water treatment plant in Laguna Lake.

“Target po natin na matapos ‘yan next year. Kukuha rin siya ng tubig sa Laguna Lake… ‘pag nabuo na ito, makakadagdag siya ng another 150 million liters of water per day,” she stated. “Kapag naging operational ‘yan, ‘yan po ang long-term solution, magiging 24 hours ang tubig sa Imus.”

(Our target is to finish that next year. It will also draw water from Laguna Lake. Once built, it will be able to add another 150 million liters of water per day. Once operational, it will be our long-term solution, and water services will be available for 24 hours.) — Mel Matthew Doctor/DVM, GMA News