Because of stolen battery: Water in some barangays affected

CEBU, Philippines — Water supply in several Cebu City mountain barangays has been disrupted after the battery of Metropolitan Cebu Water District’s (MCWD) Mobile Siphon Tank (MST) in Barangay Buot was stolen just before the unit’s scheduled removal.

The MST, deployed to help ease water shortages caused by the prolonged dry spell, was one of two units installed by MCWD. The other one is in Barangay Cambinocot.

These state-of-the-art tanks are designed to extract water from surface sources such as rivers, lakes, and ponds and convert it into potable drinking water for affected communities.

The stolen battery, however, rendered the MST in Buot inoperable, cutting off water supply to Buot, Bonbon, and neighboring barangays for several days.

MCWD representatives have filed a police blotter at the Barangay Malubog police outpost, while the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CCDRMC) and the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CCDRRMO) urge anyone with information to come forward.

“Kun wa pa mabaligya, i-uli intawn kay pipila na ka adlaw wa na maka-supply tubig diha sa mountain barangays sa Buot, Bonbon ug silingan mountain barangays,” said the CCDRRMC chief Ramil Ayuman.

MCWD spokesperson Minerva Gerodias told The Freeman that as of press time, the battery is still missing, but she clarified that the component is not rare or difficult to replace.

Since security arrangements for the MSTs fall under the responsibility of the City Government of Cebu and the respective barangay, Gerodias said either party may replace the battery, though she did not state its cost.

“Ang arrangement man gud ato is ang machine, ug ang operator ug ang mga gamit sa pag-purify, amoa (MCWD). Ang security, dapat, sa LGU ug sa barangay,” she explained.

With continuous rainfall over the past few days, MCWD general manager Engr. Edgar Donoso has instructed the pullout of both MSTs.

Gerodias noted that even as the MSTs are set to be withdrawn, replacing the battery remains necessary to ensure the equipment can be redeployed when needed.

“Actually, ipa-pull out na ning machine kay walay naman say dry season. ‘Timing’ ra sad siya actually… So e-pull out na lang,” she said. — (FREEMAN)