10,000 cubic meters of desalinated water: More supply coming

CEBU, Philippines — Starting October this year, the Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD) will have 10,000 cubic meters of desalinated water supply daily from Pilipinas Water Resources Inc. (PWRI) as additional water source to address the water shortage in some areas in Metro Cebu.

Embattled MCWD chairman, Atty. Jose “Joey” Daluz III, said this is just one of the many bulk water supply projects they have initiated. The announcement came amid efforts from Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama to oust Daluz as MCWD board chairman because of his alleged unsatisfactory performance.

MCWD general manager Edgar Donoso said the PWRI will start supplying desalinated water in October at 10,000 cubic meters daily within the first year and will eventually deliver as much as 25,000 cubic meters per day from Mambaling and Mandaue.

“This will be the first in the Philippines…First ever nga we get the water from the sea…It’s El Niño-proof…Kabalo man ta nga normally sa El Niño, is water nato ma affected man so moubos gyud atong production…With the desalination coming in from Mambaling…ma-cushion nato ang pag-ubos sa uban natong mga water source…surface and ground water,” Daluz said.

Recently, at least 15,000 cubic meters of water supply from Lusaran was also added to the MCWD distribution pipes thru the JE Hydro and Bio-Energy Corporation.

Daluz said they are also looking at tapping other water sources in Lapu-Lapu City, Cordova, and Talisay City this year and next year. These include desalination and ground/surface water sources.

Expensive

Daluz, however, admitted that desalinated water is expensive but assured that the water district will not pass on the cost to the consumers until the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) approves it.

MCWD has a pending petition before LWUA seeking to increase the water tariff by 60 percent starting July.

“Sa among nasabutan dinhi, we have to give water first…Amo sa ning i-absorb, but dili mi maka-absorb forever…That’s why we are asking for an increase,” said Daluz.

During the public consultation, however, water consumers did not oppose the impending increase. According to Daluz, all the consumers want is to have a stable water supply.

Meanwhile, MCWD’s disaster chief Edgar Ortega said the water district is now ready for the dry spell. Ortega said they have already put in place eight water trucks and 40 steel tanks.

The water trucks and steel tanks will be deployed in areas where water supply is scarce not only for El Niño but also for fire prevention.

Earlier, Rama expressed his dissatisfaction on the alleged lack of preparations of MCWD for the looming El Niño. In fact, the mayor fired Daluz and installed businessman Miguelito “Mike” Pato as the new chairman during an emergency meeting he called at the City Hall last month.

Daluz said he was not invited to the meeting but Rama claimed the former did not show up. Rama, thru City Administrator Collin Rosell, has already issued a demand letter compelling the MCWD board to recognize Pato as the new chairman. The board is set to meet today to tackle the issue. — Sanden J. Anadia, FPL (FREEMAN)