Some 121,000 customers of west zone concessionaire Maynilad are bracing for a water service interruption expected to last until 6 a.m. on Thursday, November 20.
Customers, however, complained that they were not immediately informed when the disruption began at midnight on Wednesday.
In a report by Bernadette Reyes on “24 Oras”, residents in Paco and Pandacan in Manila improvised ways to store water, with some resorting to empty rice cooker pots, cooking pots, and even bathtubs.
“Ang ilaw magawan ng paraan, magpaypay ka lang, okay lang. Ang tubig, ‘pag walang tubig ano ang iinumin mo? Ano ipangluluto mo?” said Paco resident Rosana Trinidad.
(Without electricity, we can find a way—just fan yourself and it’s okay. But without water, what will you drink? What will you use for cooking?)
Maynilad explained that the interruption is caused by the diversion of a pipe located within the Philippine National Railway (PNR) right of way, where a train station is being built.
“Magtatayo po ng bagong Paco Train Station ang PNR dito sa site na ito. And yung pipe po namin is nasa loob ng right of way ni PNR, so kailangan namin syang ilihis, i-realign para po makapagpatuloy sila sa kanilang construction work,” said Rondeau Calderon, Maynilad spokesperson.
(The PNR will build the new Paco Train Station on this site. Our pipe is within the PNR’s right of way, so we need to divert and realign it so they can continue their construction work.)
The company said it had informed affected residents through flyers, social media, and local government announcements.
Still, some customers said they did not receive the notice.
“Nagulat po kami pag bukas ng gripo maghihilamos, magtu-toothbrush, walang tumutulo. ‘Yung iba nagkuha ng mineral pang kape, pang hugas panghilamos kasi naubos na po stocks namin,” resident Jona Roxas said.
(We were surprised when we opened the tap to wash our faces or brush our teeth, and nothing came out. Others had to use bottled water for coffee, washing dishes, and washing their faces because our stocks had run out.)
Amid the inconvenience, a local fire volunteer group stepped in to supply water to affected households.
Meanwhile, Maynilad has deployed 100 mobile water tankers and 16 stationary water tanks to serve residents.
The company said it is working to restore water supply as soon as possible, and once service resumes, residents are advised to let faucets run until the water turns clear.— Vince Angelo Ferreras/MCG, GMA Integrated News
