Water rationing in waterless areas in this city continues with 63,900 liters delivered to an initial 10 barangays as of Wednesday night, according to the Iloilo City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO).

The local government kicked off its “Oplan Bulig sa Syudad” on Tuesday using the 10,000 cubic meters of treated water donated by the Flo Water Resources and Bombo Radyo Foundation Inc. in partnership with the Bureau of Fire Protection, Iloilo Citizens Action Group Volunteer Fire Brigade, and the Metro Pacific Iloilo Water (MPIW).

CDRRM officer Donna Magno, in an interview on Thursday, said the plan is to serve 25 barangays considered as high and medium risk of experiencing drought.

As of Wednesday night, they have already distributed water to Barangays Zamora-Melliza, Veterans’ Village, Baldoza, So-oc, Navais, Muelle Loney, Rizal Pala-Pala 1, Ticud, Ortiz, and San Isidro.

The water rationing depends on the availability of volunteer tankers, Magno said.

“Sometimes there is a delay because there is a need to disinfect water tankers. MPIW would like to ensure that tankers are disinfected since they also have protocols to follow,” Magno said.

She added that while treated, the consuming public is advised to boil the water should they want to use it for cooking.

Magno said they looked forward to also commencing the rationing using the water that will be procured by the city government using its PHP12.5 million quick response fund.

Bidding for the water procurement is set before the end of this week.

“We continue to call on our residents to conserve water because the dry season still persists. We have to change our behavior in terms of using water,” she added.

Meanwhile, with the extreme temperature forecast in Iloilo City by the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), Mayor Jerry Treñas ordered the suspension of all face-to-face classes from Thursday to Friday. (PNA)