CEBU CITY, Philippines (UPDATED)  – After a closed door meeting in Cebu City, mayor Michael Rama declared a state of emergency due to the water shortage in the city.

The Metro Cebu Water District (MCWD) issued an advisory on Wednesday, April 6, saying the water deficit in Cebu had gone up to 19,000 cubic meters per day from the 15,000 cubic meters per day last Monday.

The Jaclupan and Buhisan dam water supplies are both at critically low levels.

According to a statement from the MCWD, “the MCWD will purchase close to 10,000 cubic meters per day from bulk water suppliers.”

The MCWD called the water shortage “critical” and said on their Facebook page that 44 areas in Cebu City, Talisay City, Lapu-Lapu City, and Liloan town would experience low pressure to no water supply for 15 hours at a time from 6 am to 9 pm until water surface facilities are replenished with rain water.

Cebu’s water supplier said it has asked an additional 1,200 cu. m. per day from Abejo Waters Corporation (AWC) for the Guadalupe injection point. AWC is currently supplying MCWD 4,000 cu. m. per day in Guadalupe. In Mandaue City, an additional 1,200 cubic meterse ad ay will enter its distribution lines.

“The additional volume is expected to benefit almost 11,000 households affected by the lowering of the water supply in Metro Cebu,” said MCWD Acting General Manager Noel Dalena.

“With PAG-ASA’s forecast today that the dry spell will affect Metro Cebu by the end of this month, the MCWD is urging consumers to conserve,” Charmaine Rodriguez Cara, MCWD spokesperson, told Rappler in a text message.

“Any effort to conserve – no matter how small – will help Metro Cebu’s water supply a lot,” she added.

MCWD advises consumers to store water during off peak hours or from 10 pm to 5 am.

The following areas will have low pressure or no water are the following:

Talisay City

1. Lawaan, Talisay City
2. Lagtang, Talisay City
3. Pooc, Talisay City
4. Bulacao, Talisay City
5. Bulacao, Cebu City
6. Poblacion Pardo

Cebu City

1. Quiot
2. Kinasang-an
3. Basak San Nicolas
4. Mambaling
5. Duljo
6. San Nicolas Proper
7. Pahina San Nicolas
8. Sawang Calero
9. Suba
10. Pasil
11. Ermita
12. Punta Princesa
13. Tisa
14. Labangon
15. Calamba
16. Capitol Site
17. Sta. Cruz
18. Sambag 1 
19. Sambag 2
20. Cogon Ramos
21. San Antonio
22. Pahina Central
23. Kalubihan
24. some parts of downtown area
25. North Reclamation Area
26. Carreta
27. Pier area
28. M. J. Cuenco Ave.
29. Lahug
30. Apas
31. San Jose, Talamban
32. road to Ma. Luisa Estate Park, Banilad
33. Oprra
34. Nivel Hills
35. Kamputhaw

Lapu-Lapu City

1. Punta Engaño
2. Babag 1
3. Babag 2

Liloan

• All barangays

– Rappler.com

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