Espinoza, Venice R.

BSA-1
Sister Mary Martha Fe November 2, 2019

Seeing Activity
Social Problems vis-à-vis My Attitudes and Behavior

Metro Cebu in ‘water crisis’ as supplier fails to keep up with demand

By Dale Israel
Published Oct 24, 2019 1:54:41 PM
https://cnnphilippines.com/news/2019/10/24/cebu-water-crisis.html
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 24) — Residents in numerous areas in Cebu province are suffering from a “water crisis" as Metropolitan Cebu
Water District (MCWD) failed to meet the demand of consumers.

MCWD said that the daily water demand in Metro Cebu is around 500,000 cubic meters per day but its daily allocation is only 238,000 cubic meters per
day, resulting in most of its service area struggling without water.

Metro Cebu covers the six towns of Cordova, Compostela, Liloan, Consolacion, San Fernando, and Minglanilla. The cities in Metro Cebu are Cebu City,
Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu, Danao, Carcar, Talisay, and Naga.

MCWD added that most of their wells are damaged from salt water intrusion, rendering them useless. Cebu City’s Buhisan dam is also depleting from
drought and dropped to critical level earlier this month.

This resulted in several areas, especially in Cebu City, only getting water from their faucets from 3 a.m. to 6 a.m., but oftentimes, there is no water for
several days. Water trucks have also been deployed in some barangays in downtown Cebu City.

‘Water crisis’

Local government officials, especially mayors, blamed the MCWD for lack of planning and preparing additional water sources, despite anticipating
possible supply issues.

Cebu City Mayor Edgar Labella terminated the MCWD board of directors on October 16, prompting the Local Water Utilities Administration to take over
management of the agency. Labella said the city was in a "water crisis.”

Prior to that, MCWD general manager Jose Eugenio Singson Jr. gave notice of resignation from his post, effective November 1.

Since Tuesday, water trucks from MCWD have been deployed daily to several barangays, including Carreta, Sambag 1, Sambag 2, Santa Cruz, Cogon-
Ramos, among others in Cebu City.

The upland barangays without water in Cebu City include Cambinocot, Lusaran, Paril, Mabini, Agsungot and Guba.

League of Municipalities President and Liloan town Mayor Christina Frasco is also among the local executives that have openly criticized the MCWD for
the crisis.

Her office had even announced that it is looking for another private water supplier, due to MCWD's failure to supply water to her constituents.

"In Liloan alone, there are days with no water at all and most days, water from MCWD only flows from 12 midnight to 5 am,” Frasco said.

On Wednesday, MCWD also deployed a Japanese-made Mobile Siphon Tanks (MST) to Barangay Cambinocot. The MST sucks water from and converts
it into a potable resource.These tanks were acquired in 2014 and have been used during disasters like typhoons and earthquakes.
Espinoza, Venice R. BSA-1
Sister Mary Martha Fe November 2, 2019

Questions:

1) How do you feel about the news story or photo? Explain your answer fully.

I felt that this issue should be addressed carefully. The issue of having
water crisis is no joke and also the effect of it is drastically alarming because a lot
of people will suffer. I felt that this should be taken action and we should be worry
regarding this issue. We should take care more of our home, and I felt so guilty of
what is happening now in my society.

2) What is your general attitude toward the situation? Explain your answer fully.

We are responsible for whatever is happening to us now. These are the

consequences of not taking good care of our earth and overusing it. Now, we
should do something in order to restore the once abundant water in Cebu. We
should positively take responsible for this issue and that together we create
solutions. We should take the water crisis as a warning to never take for granted
what God has given to us.

3) Have you done anything to help improve the situation? If your answer is yes, talk
about your deed briefly. If your answer is no, explain why you have not done
anything yet.

Yes I have, in a way that I don’t waste water anymore. I really conserve
and as much as possible reuse it. For example, we reuse the water used in
washing clothes to flush poop or urine in the comfort room.

4) For those whose answer is:

• (YES) What could you do more to help in the situation if given the chance?

I could raise a campaign to encourage everyone in Cebu to take

part in conserving water. Also, I encourage other water source in Cebu to
share some for metro Cebu. Awareness should have impact especially to
those who are blessed with water, specifically living in villages,
subdivisions, and hotels to sympathize with us.