Hi-tech equipment to give Cebu City's mountain residents potable river water

CEBU, Philippines - Waterless Cebu City mountain barangays would soon have water provided by a Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD) mobile siphon tank donated by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

The mobile siphon tank, which can supply at least 200,000 liters a day to 2,000 households, can convert turbid water from the river into potable water.

"This equipment mo-convert(s) ni siya og lubog nga tubig nga gikan sa sapa (muddy water from the river) into a potable drinking water," said Ernesto Delco, MCWD assistant manager for operations.

He said the tank is currently in Daanbantayan town as it was used to help survivors of super typhoon Yolanda, which heavily affected Northern Cebu last Nov. 8.

Delco said MCWD would pull out the tank on Jan. 20 and deploy it in Cebu City's mountain barangays that up to now are not served by the utility firm.

"We will identify first kung asa ang mga (which) strategic barangays namo ibutang ang (to place the) tank," he said.

The presence of the P40-million equipment would greatly benefit residents who up to now get their drinking water from water tank deliveries or from open wells.

Delco said JICA wanted to expand its presence in other parts of the Philippines like Cebu and tapped MCWD to help.

MCWD supplies around 200,000 cubic meter per day to its 150,000 consumers in Metro Cebu. (FREEMAN)