Maynilad to ration hospital water; Lent going dry in Metro, Cavite

MANILA, Philippines—Maynilad Water Services said it would conduct “24/7 water rationing” in hospitals in Metro Manila as well as in cities and towns in Cavite province, as the company advised customers to prepare for up to three days of water service interruption in the coming Holy Week.

The firm’s corporate communications office on Wednesday said stationary water tanks would also be installed in the Baseco and Parola compounds in Tondo, Manila, as well as in parts of Cavite for the duration of the cutoff, which can be expected between April 16 and 19.

Four deep wells have been reopened in Cavite to mitigate the supply problem, while around 60 water tankers are on standby to serve areas that will experience three straight days of interrupted water supply.

Maynilad said it was still finalizing the schedule of the tanker operations.

Earlier this week, the utility firm explained that a P560-million flood control project of the Department of Public Works and Highways on Blumentritt, Manila, would cause service interruptions for one to three days.

Service interruptions are expected in the following areas: Parts of Manila, Malabon, Navotas, Pasay City, Makati City, and southern Caloocan City; parts of Imus and Kawit in Cavite; the entire cities of Las Piñas, Muntinlupa City and Parañaque; and the entire Bacoor City and Noveleta town, both in Cavite.

“Designed to address the perennial flooding problem in Manila, the DPWH project involves the interceptor box culvert, which will traverse the Maynilad water pipe along the corner of Juan Luna and Hermosa streets,” the company noted.

It would also require the realignment of the water pipe prior to the implementation of the DPWH flood control project.

Maynilad urged customers to store enough water for the duration of the service interruptions.—Jerry E. Esplanada