Hotels, food establishments in city incur losses due to water shortage
Hotels and food establishments in the city have suffered losses due to the shortage of water supply coming from water utility Metro Iloilo Water District (MIWD).
The Iloilo Hotels Restaurants and Resorts Association (IHRRA) already made an appeal to the MIWD management to expedite the resumption of regular water supply especially that Dinagyang Festival is coming.
Hotel manager Robert Ferrer, former president of IHRRA, said because of lack of water from MIWD they are forced to hire the services of private water suppliers that entails extra cost.
He said the cost of water provided by alternative water sources is much higher by 200 percent when compared on the water provided by the MIWD. The chain of hotels and restaurants in the city is relying on the water provided by water stations which are delivered through water tanks.
Ferrer lamented that after the Typhoon Frank in June 2008, the hotel industry suffered because of the lack of water supply from the MIWD.
He added that the problem on lack of water supply must be solved before the Dinagyang 2009 festival. Domestic and foreign tourists are expected to flock the city to witness the yearly celebration. The influx of visitors here will further increase the water needs of each hotel and restaurant, said Ferrer.
Meanwhile, Mayor Jerry Trenas has ordered City Environment and Natural Resources Officer head Engr. Noel Hechanova to set a meeting with the MIWD officials to discuss the lack of water supply from the water district. The mayor wants the water problem resolved before the Dinagyang celebration.