Mandaluyong set to declare state of calamity amid water shortage
Credit to Author: cbibe| Date: Thu, 14 Mar 2019 03:23:40 +0000
MANILA, Philippines – The city government of Mandaluyong is set to declare a state of calamity amid the water shortage affecting residents, an official said Thursday.
Mandaluyong Information Officer Jimmy Isidro told INQUIRER.net that the local government was only waiting for the recommendation of barangay officials for a declaration of state of calamity.
“By tomorrow or Monday, baka mag-declare na kami ng state of calamity,” Isidro said in a phone interview.
“Pero pinag-uusapan pa. Hinihintay ko ‘yung mga recommendation ng bawat barangay para ma-concur ni Mayor (Carmelita Abalos) doon sa Sanggunian kasi dapat mag-emanate sa barangay eh,” he added.
Isidro said that 12 barangay officials already expressed intent to recommend a declaration during a meeting on Thursday.
Manila Water, which provides water in the east zone of Metro Manila, has implemented service interruptions in its concession area as the water level in La Mesa Dam dropped.
READ: La Mesa Dam breaches critical mark, hits 21-year low
Isidro noted all of the 27 barangays of Mandaluyong are already affected by the water shortage as Manila Water implemented a new rationing schedule, which cuts water services from 5 p.m. to 8 a.m. and 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.
READ: Manila Water issues service cutoff schedule in Metro Manila, Rizal
The barangay officials will submit resolutions recommending a state of calamity declaration to the city government and then Mayor Abalos will transmit it to the city council for approval, he said.
A state of calamity would allow the local government to tap emergency funds to buy items to help them address the water shortage.
Isidro noted that an election ban currently prevents local officials to buy trucks or tankers that could deliver water to areas having no water.
“Ngayon, sa local is Comelec-banned kaya hindi kami basta-basta makakapagbili ng (trucks). Ngayon kung mayroong state of calamity, ma-eexempt kami sa pagbili ng mga basic needs in terms of water crisis,” he said. /cbb