Parts of Metro Manila, Cavite province to go dry during Holy Week

MANILA, Philippines—Looks like residents in certain areas of Metro Manila and Cavite province will be forgoing not only food but also water during Holy Week.

Maynilad Water Services Inc. announced on Monday that parts of Las Piñas, Muntinlupa, Parañaque, Makati, Malabon, Manila, Navotas, Pasay and Caloocan and the areas of Bacoor, Noveleta, Imus and Kawit in Cavite will have water service interruptions for up to three days during the period.

It explained that the water supply cut-off was due to a flood control project of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

As a result, water service interruptions would occur from April 16 to April 19. The affected areas and the schedule can be viewed on the company’s website (https://www.mayniladwater.com.ph/news_center.php).

Aside from that, Maynilad will also distribute copies of the interruption schedule in affected areas and publish it in selected newspapers and tabloids on April 7 and 14.

“To minimize inconvenience, Maynilad is appealing to its customers to store enough water for the duration of the interruption,” it said.

It added: “Those with existing overhead tanks are also advised to clean these first before using them to store water.”

The company explained that the DPWH was building an interceptor drainage box culvert on Blumentritt Street in Manila “to address the perennial flooding” in the area.

According to Maynilad, the DPWH project will traverse the company’s pipe at the corner of Juan Luna and Hermosa Streets, requiring its realignment before the work can proceed.

“(We) will need 72 hours to drain, realign and energize (the) affected water pipe because it is a seven-foot-tall primary line,” the company said.

Maynilad added that to mitigate the inconvenience for its customers, it would reopen four deep wells during the said dates.

Aside from that, the utility intends to deploy some 60 water tankers to the areas that will experience three days of interrupted supply.