Upland residents seek water from MCWD

CEBU – Upland residents in Cebu City have urged the Metro Cebu Water District to supply water to those residing in remote and mountain barangays of the city.

At least 10 families in barangay Bacayan have sought the help of their barangay officials headed by barangay captain Zenaida Colina to request MCWD to provide them with water.

Colina said residents of sitio Upper Bacayan are paying P40 per cubic meter of water supplied to them by a private service provider, an amount which they describe as “very expensive.”

But such amount is very much lower compared to P70 per cubic meter sold to residents in sitio Upper Fatima in barangay Apas.

“Sad to note that barangay Bacayan was excluded from the service coverage, while MCWD extended its services to other cities and municipalities outside Cebu City,” Bacayan barangay officials said.

The Bacayan residents claimed that “with our present financial plight and predicament, it is most respectfully prayed that MCWD would act favorably on our request and make our cherish wish to have a cheap, affordable and potable water be realized.”

MCWD press relations officer Edwin Correos said they have tried to dig up a well in barangay Bacayan a few years ago, but they have decided to abandon it due to its low quality of water.

“Gawas nga dili kaayo maayo ang quality sa tubig dili usab daghan ang supply sa tubig nga among makuha diha sa barangay Bacayan,” Correos said.

He said MCWD has already invited some investors to help it generate more water to solve the water crisis, particularly in the remote areas of the city.

At present, MCWD is providing170,000 cubic meters of water to its 120,000 water consumers in Metro Cebu.

“Pagkakaron tulo ka private company ang mitabang sa MCWD pagsuplay og tubig bali’g 15,000 cubic meters matag adlaw,” Correos said, referring to Abejo Builders that supplies 5,000 cubic meters of water in Talisay City.

Foremost Helpmate also provides 5,000 cubic meters in Minglanilla and Mactan Rock supplies 5,000 cubic meters of water in Lapu-Lapu City. — Rene U. Borromeo/LPM (THE FREEMAN)