Valenzuela to ration water in ‘dry’ areas

The city government of Valenzuela has launched a water rationing program, dubbed Tubig Patrol, to distribute water in critically "dry" areas.

"We hope that, through the Tubig Patrol, we may be able to make life less burdensome and more bearable for our constituents in these areas," Valenzuela City Mayor Sherwin Gatchalian said.

The mayor revealed that of the approximately 110,000 households in the city, only 60 percent are serviced by water concessionaire Maynilad Water Services Inc. (MWSI).

The utility firm covers some 25 of the city’s 32 barangays except Barangays Bignay, Canumay, Punturin, Lawang Bato, Ugong, Mapulang Lupa and Wawang Pulo.

These areas, which hold about 20 percent of total households in the city, have very little or no supply of water at all.

"Basically, they rely on enterprising water peddlers while the rest get their water from deep wells and other sources," the mayor said.

Under the Tubig Patrol Program spearheaded by the City Water Supply Management Unit (CWSMU), six water tankers will be regularly rationing water from Mondays to Saturdays in designated areas of Canumay, Punturin, Bignay and Lawang Bato in District 1 and in Maysan, Marulas, Ugong and Gen. T. de Leon in District 2.

"Adequate water supply has been a nagging problem among our constituents, particularly in the elevated areas. Private delivery of the precious commodity may be an opportunity to earn more for some enterprising peddlers but is costly for most of the residents," the mayor said.

As this temporary measure is being implemented, the city water unit is also overseeing the installation of more deep wells in Barangays Coloong and Balangkas in the flood-prone areas of District 1.

CWSMU chief Victorino Esteban also said they are currently working in coordination with the MWSI for the completion of the firm’s pipe laying in Barangays Tagalag, Paso de Blas, Ugong, Malanday, Isla and Maysan.

The Dalandanan Pumping Station, which will be the source of the water to be rationed, will also be undergoing rehabilitation under the Tubig Patrol Program, Esteban said. – Jerry Botial