Water distribution ordered in Manila

Mayor Lito Atienza yesterday ordered the deployment of all of the city’s fire trucks and water tankers to distribute potable water in areas affected by the ongoing rehabilitation of water pipelines in different parts of Manila that will start at 10 p.m. tonight, April 14.

According to Maynilad Water Services Inc. (MWSI), affected areas include the following districts, which Atienza stated, are largely populated: Sampaloc, Sta. Mesa, Quiapo, San Miguel, Sta. Cruz, Pandacan, Paco and Binondo.

Atienza said fire trucks and water tankers should deliver daily water supply to these affected areas until the rehabilitation work of MWSI pipelines are completed.

We are advising residents to still boil the water they will use for cooking and drinking just to be on the safe side," Atienza said.

Atienza also instructed barangay chairmen in areas affected to disseminate this advice on boiling water for cooking and drinking.

Furthermore, barangay chairmen were advised to store water supply in barangay centers.

MWSI is expected to finish its rehabilitation work by 4 a.m. on Saturday.

"Until then, I have issued orders to deliver waters supply to the residents to enable them to cope with the temporary water shortage in Manila," Atienza said.

He added that each of the city’s six deep wells that are fully operational would also be utilized to provide water for the areas affected.

The six deep wells are located at the Tondo Sports Complex, P. Gomez Elementary School near the Central Market in the third district, Muslim Center in Quiapo, Albert Elementary School in Sampaloc, Paraiso ng Batang Maynila in Malate and Bacood Elementary School in Sta. Mesa.