Water supply in 3 brgys of Pilar cut off

CEBU, Philippines - About 950 families from the three barangays in Pilar, Camotes lose their water supply after the town’s water source was closed by one of the owners of the property.

Barangays Opao, Lanao and Cawit lost their water supply since April 19 when Regino Capillanes shut down the spring where the water works system pumps out water to supply to the residents.

Capillanes, who hails from Mindanao, alleged demanded P5 million from the Local Government Unit as payment of the water supply sourced out from his property. On top of it, he is also demanding P13,000 monthly payment.

The source of water supply for the three barangays is the spring inside a cave in Barangay Lanao which is now allegedly being guarded by around 20 armed men from Leyte hired by Capillanes.

The property was previously donated by the father of Capillanes to the municipal government of Pilar.

Former Lanao barangay captain Ronnie Boie Reales told The FREEMAN that the cave where they sourced their water supply was developed by the engineers from the University of San Carlos and then Cebu governor Vicente “Tingting” dela Serna. Gabigabihan Opao Lanao Cawit Panggangan (GOLCP) was the named given after the cave was developed. It was being maintained by the Rural Water Works and Sanitation Association.

One of the plumbers of the GOLCP who refused to be named said they attempted to check the water but they feared after seeing armed men around.

“Armado sila ug tag-as nga pusil unya naay mga sundang,” he said added, that they are now getting water in a deep wheel in barangay Imelda about 2 kilometers from barangay Lanao and 4 kilometers from barangay Cawit.

Pilar Mayor Jesus Fernandez, Jr. has issued executive order for the reconnection of water supply as soon as possible.

Fernandez asked the assistance of Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia in enforcing his order prompting her to request Cebu Provincial Police Office Director, Sr. Supt. Patrocinio Commendador to send a team from the Special Reaction Unit.

“This may need police enforcement and as it is now there may be possibility of skirmishes if there won’t be enough police personnel,” Garcia said.

Pilar town Chief of Police Albert Quilitorio said the SRU is already in their town and they will be assisting them during the re-installment of the water connection.

“The governor and the provincial government is in full support of the municipality of Pilar and Mayor Jet in the reconnection of the water source to the three barangays that are now presently affected,” Garcia said. — (FREEMAN)