By Glazyl Y. Masculino
The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in Bacolod City has been coordinating with local barangays to provide supplemental water supply to several areas currently experiencing shortages due to the El Niño phenomenon.
The water rationing initiative began on February 28, serving as a crucial part of the city’s efforts to mitigate the effects of this weather pattern.
Residents of Ellorico Subdivision, Purok Casiana, and Purok Sulom 1 in Barangay Mandalagan have already received water from the BFP as of March 6.
The BFP has announced that it will continue this support in collaboration with the city government, advising residents to liaise with their respective barangay offices for any water requirements.
In an attempt to address the water scarcity, Mayor Alfredo “Albee” Benitez called an emergency meeting last month with the Bacolod City Water District (Baciwa)-PrimeWater, bulk water suppliers, the National Water Resources Board (NWRB), the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA), and the Water Utilities Division (WUD).
During this assembly, Benitez emphasized the need for “a drastic solution” to the water supply issue, highlighting the exacerbating factor of El Niño.
He tasked Baciwa with providing a technical study on potential water sources and the establishment of a water network.
Proposals from a water summit suggested that 15 to 16 million liters per day (MLD) would be supplied to residents within six months to enhance the water quality.
However, the mayor urged that this solution be implemented within three months due to the urgency caused by El Niño’s impact.
Baciwa-PrimeWater has identified deep wells capable of contributing the required 15 to 16 MLD, including five MLD from a source in Barangay Alangilan.
A concentrated inspection was conducted by a joint team from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), BACIWA-PrimeWater, and MGS Construction to ensure rapid implementation of a transmission line project.
This project aims to connect one of the deep wells to the North Circumferential Road in Barangay Bata, ensuring expedited water delivery to Bacolod City.
Furthermore, Baciwa-PrimeWater plans to collaborate with the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) for water augmentation in local villages.
