In order to address water shortage in Metro Cebu due to the raging El Niño phenomenon, Gov. Gwen Garcia is looking to lift an order barring water production from two deep wells in Carmen, Cebu.
With the current production of 35 million liters daily (MLD) from the town’s Luyang River, Metro Cebu Water District (MCWD) can expect an accumulated infusion of at least 50 MLD into its water supply from this important northern Cebu LGU.
“We can start production from aning duha ka close nga pumps. Gi-cease and desist man na nako di ba? So we will justify it to lift the cease and desist in view of general welfare,” Gov. Gwen Garcia said in a meeting at the Capitol on April 22.
The meeting was attended by MCWD Chairman Atty. Jose Daluz III and general manager Edgar Donoso who reported to the governor the gravely challenged status of water supply due to the extended drought.
MCWD’s service area includes the cities of Cebu, Lapu-Lapu, Mandaue, and Talisay; as well as the Municipalities of Cordova, Consolacion, Liloan, and Compostela.
Manila Water Philippine Ventures, led by General Manager Stan Genosa, was also represented in the meeting. Once the governor’s cease and desist order will be lifted, MWPV will start extracting water from these two deep wells.
Daluz welcomed the governor’s move especially since MCWD has recorded a drastic decrease of its water supply since most of their sources are facing water crisis due to El Niño. Among these is the Compostela water facility which previously delivers 10 thousand liters of water per day, but has been unable to produce water now.
“We will have additional water, hopefully around 6 or 7 thousand cubic meters. We’re working on it, gipangita gyod na ni Governor Gwen nga adunay additional water,” Atty. Daluz told 𝐒𝐮𝐠𝐛𝐨𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐬.
Despite issues hounding MCWD, the Capitol is demonstrating its commitment to aid Metro Cebu’s main water district as the Capitol recognizes constituents of the province who are most affected by this water crisis impacted. | BJR