Water district execs urge Capitol declaration of ‘water crisis’
Water district officials banding under the Water District’s General Managers Association (GMA) – Panay are seeking for the declaration of Iloilo to be under a “water crisis” state.
And as soon as possible too, if only for existing water districts here to come up with remedial measures to avert worsening water crisis throughout the province.
Iloilo has 21 water districts serving 28 towns, the component city of Passi and Iloilo City. Average water service connections covers 23% of the total barangays in the towns served and 22% of Iloilo’s total population.
In a letter to Second District Board Member June Mondejar, Remus Braganza, GMA - Panay President explained the serious “water plight” of Iloilo water districts. He was upfront with his sentiments – “after such a long period of time, water districts have performed way below the expected and projected 65% water service coverage in the area.”
All these, he said, brought by the difficulties in the day to day operations.
“Financial capability and lack of reliable water source are among the two major reasons for the failure of the Water Districts – to perform its mandate that is to provide clean, safe and sustainable water to its concessionaires. Compounding the woes of the water districts is the recent devastation brought about by Typhoon Frank which greatly affected the services and facilities of the water districts,” the letter went while adding, “With no immediate financial and technical assistance from the government, the Water Districts have been slowly normalizing its operations but the gap between the demand and supply capability is getting wider and wider.”
As such, the group sought for Capitol’s help to “effectively address the situation…”
“…we are requesting the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of the Province of Iloilo thru your good office to declare water crisis in the province of Iloilo for the national government thru the LWUA to recognize and address the urgent situation and needs of the water districts in our province in order for us to perform our mandate…,” the letter ended.