Mandaluyong set to declare state of calamity amid water shortage

A firetruck provides Barangka Drive residents in Mandaluyong City their much-needed water supply for the day. Service disruptions, as La Mesa Dam’s water level turns critical, have become common in Metro Manila. INQUIRER FILE / MARIANNE BERMUDEZ

MANILA, Philippines – The city government of Mandaluyong is set to declare a state of calamity amid the water shortage in the area, an official said Thursday.

Mandaluyong Information Officer Jimmy Isidro told INQUIRER.net that the local government was only waiting for the recommendation of barangay officials for a declaration of state of calamity.

“By tomorrow or Monday, baka magdeclare na kami ng state of calamity,” Isidro said in a phone interview.

“Pero ito pinag-uusapan pa. Hinihintay ko ‘yung mga recommendation ng bawat barangay para maconcur ni Mayor (Carmelita Abalos) doon sa Sanggunian kasi dapat mag-emanate sa barangay eh,” he added.

Isidro said that 12 barangay officials have already expressed intent to recommend a declaration during a meeting on Thursday.

The Manila Water, which provides water supply in the east zone of Metro Manila, has cut supply in several areas in metro as the water level in La Mesa Dam dropped.

READ: La Mesa Dam breaches critical mark, hits 21-year low

Isidro noted all of the 27 barangays of Mandaluyong were already affected by the water shortage as Manila Water implemented a new cut off schedule in Metro Manila.

According to the new schedule of Manila Water, 27 barangays will have no water from 6 p.m. to 5 a.m. while three areas, namely certain parts of Addition Hills, Barangka Drive and Hulo will have no water from 11 a.m. to 7 a.m.

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READ: Manila Water issues service cutoff schedule in Metro Manila, Rizal

The barangay officials will submit resolutions recommending a state of calamity declaration to the city government and then Mayor Abalos will transmit it to the city council for approval, he said.

A state of calamity would allow the local government to tap their emergency funds to buy items to help them address the water shortage.

Isidro noted that an election ban currently prevents local officials to purchase trucks or tankers that could deliver water to areas with water shortage.

“Ngayon, sa local is Comelec-banned kaya hindi kami basta-basta makakapagbili ng (trucks). Ngayon kung mayroong state of calamity, ma-eexempt kami sa pagbili ng mga basic needs in terms of water crisis,” he said. /cbb