DPWH helps curb water shortage in Tacloban resettlement sites

TACLOBAN CITY, Nov. 18 (PNA) – The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) committed to deliver 50,000 liters of water daily to the northern relocation sites here, heeding President Rodrigo Duterte’s order to ease the suffering of families badly displaced by super typhoon Yolanda.

The infrastructure agency converted its four trucks intended for maintenance works into delivery trucks carrying water storage bladders. Last week, the DPWH main office brought two trucks to this city for resettlement sites.

Each water bladder can store up to 10,000 liters while each truck holds 8,000 liters of water. The volume is enough to supply the needs of 500 families living at Villa Sophia in Tagpuro village and Villa Diana in New Kawayan village, according to DPWH Eastern Visayas Regional Director Edgar Tabacon

The city government, local water district, and some non-government organizations support the water needs of other resettlement sites.

“We will continue to bring water to relocation sites for as long as the medium term or long term water supply projects are not yet done,” Tabacon said.

During the 3rd anniversary commemoration of super typhoon Yolanda on Nov. 8, President Duterte asked Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Michael Dino and government agencies involved in reconstruction works to ensure enough water supply in relocation sites.

Earlier, the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) has approved the PHP159-million water supply plan as a medium-term solution to the water shortage problem at the resettlement area.

The project will run for six months while waiting for the implementation of the PHP527-million Level 3 Tacloban North Water Supply Project of LWUA and Leyte Metropolitan Water District (LMWD).

The LMWD and DPWH agreed to iron out issues related to right of way acquisition needed for the installation of water pipes. (PNA)

LAM/SARWELL Q. MENIANO