Zamboanga residents reel from water interruptions as watershed supply falls

Decreasing supply at a water treatment plant in Barangay Pasonanca in Zamboanga is causing water interruptions for residents in the city.

According to the "Unang Balita" report by Krissa Dapitan on Tuesday, continuous rains are not boosting the water of the Pasonanca watershed, which is experiencing below normal levels.

The watershed supplies water to 60 barangays in the east coast area and central business district of Zamboanga City.

As of 6 a.m. on Tuesday, the water level hit 74.04 meters, which is less than the area's 74.20 meters normal water level.

The Zamboanga City Water District (ZCWD) warned that the water supply may continue to decrease without a substantial amount of rain in the next few days.

The local government has implemented water rationing in the affected communities.

“Although may increase sa ating production, hindi pa namin puwedeng i-lift ang water rationing schedule dahil pataas-baba ang water level natin. Hindi pa talaga nag-no-normalize,” said ZCWD spokesperson Raul Rivera.

(Although there has been an increase in our production, we still cannot lift the water rationing schedule because our water level continues to rise and fall. It hasn’t normalized yet)

Meanwhile, affected residents have begun to complain about the water shortage.

“Dalawang araw na kaming walang tubig dito. Bakit wala pa ring tubig, lagi namang umuulan?” said Marilou, a resident.

(We haven’t had water in two days. Why is there still no water when it’s always raining?)

PAGASA Zamboanga assured that the area would see continuous rains for June, replenishing their water supply. —Jiselle Anne Casucian/LDF, GMA Integrated News