CAGAYAN DE ORO – Efforts to restore the city’s water system have been dampened with the looting of the water district's production facilities and distribution systems and worsened the shortage in water supply.
“We appeal to the general public to deal with the temporary water supply shortage with patience and sobriety as (Cagayan de Oro Water District) Cowd is doing everything to speed up the rehabilitation works. Many others are voluntarily extending assistance to Cowd for the immediate restoration of the normal water supply. Your cooperation would contribute a lot towards this endeavor,” the Cowd said in a statement.
The water district said Thursday the pipelines were intentionally perforated and cut by some residents. Cables, engine and motor parts and other accessories were also looted from its production facilities.
Several water companies in the country have offered assistance to Cowd in addressing the water shortage in Tropical Storm Sendong-hit areas in this city.
The management said it is starting to gradually restore partial operations of the system and shall be working towards the stabilization of the water supply in some areas very soon.
“With this development, Cowd shall be constrained to close exit points by strictly controlling access to the hydrants except those which have been designated as point sources. This is necessary to build enough pressure in the system so distribution to the households can be readily facilitated,” the Cowd said.
It added that opening of hydrants will be carried out only by authorized Cowd personnel.
Water delivery is continually being facilitated to the different areas in the city through the assigned fire trucks, tankers and trucks.
In a related development, the United Nations in a statement Thursday said it is revising its action plan in order to “provide clean water for drinking and bathing, food, emergency shelter, and essential household items to 471,000 worst-affected people in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan cities for three months.”
“Shelter requirements for those whose houses have been destroyed or those who will be unable to return to their neighborhoods categorized as hazardous and high risk areas will likely feature in the revision. Livelihood support to help people rebuild their lives will also be key,” the UN said.
The agency is also appealing for million from stakeholders for the immediate needs of the flash flood victims.
In relation to the relocation of affected families, local police have assigned 28 policemen at the Isla Delta, Isla de Oro, Isla Bugnao and Isla Cupa in Barangay Consolacion to ensure that residents will not go back and rebuild their homes.
The four islets located at the mouth of the Cagayan de Oro River are among the most devastated areas in the city due to flash floods brought by Tropical Storm Sendong (international name: Washi).
City Police Chief Gerardo Rosales said policemen would not allow any construction materials brought inside the area.
Councilor Ian Mark Nacaya said the City Government has already identified relocation sites for the victims of the flashflood, particularly Sitio Calaanan in Barangay Canitoan.
Nacaya said the affected families must be relocated in high-rise buildings like condominiums to ensure their safety in case of flash floods.
He said high-rise building will also maximize the land area.
“Isla de Oro must be a no man’s island since it is no longer safe to live there. There is no soil to put up a secure structure in the area,” he said.
Mayor Vicente Emano is set to talk with the victims at the evacuation centers to explain the situation.
The evacuees are expected to stay at the evacuation centers in public schools until January 2, 2012, before the resumption of classes.
Meanwhile, Mayor Vicente Emano said the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) finally gave the go-signal for the use of its hangar for the recovered bodies.
Forensic experts have continued its Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) at the hangar.
NBI medico legal officer Dr. Wilfredo E. Tierra said they can now hasten their work since the hangar had the amenities they needed such as lights and water.
The death toll in Cagayan de Oro from Tropical Storm Sendong has already reached 664 as of Thursday morning, based on a report from the City Social Development Welfare.
The CSWD also said at least 562 have been confirmed missing while 225 persons were injured. (Terry Betonio/Michael Andrew W. Yu/Annabelle L. Ricalde/Nicole J. Managbanag/Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro/Sunnex)
