City villages ready water counterpart

BARANGAYS in Iloilo City can now use 30 percent of their five percent calamity fund as quick response to purchase potable drinking water and help augment the needs of their barangay constituents.

City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog said the City Council declared last week the city under state of calamity due to the acute water shortage spawned by the Iloilo Water District (MIWD) water deficient operation.

Mabilog said the City Government is using its own 30 percent quick response fund or some P2 million for emergency purchase of bulk water for the barangays. The purchased water is good only for washing, cooking, and bathing and cannot be used for drinking.

Carlos Guarin, president of La Paz Liga ng mga Barangay and ex-officio City Councilor, said they are now finalizing a scheme to conduct a smooth water distribution in the barangays.

Guarin suggested a water coupon be given by barangay officials to their constituents to go to a water refilling station in their area and get the drinking water.

Recently, President Benigno Aquino III has declared certain areas in the country including Iloilo and Antique as under the state of calamity due to Typhoon “Pablo.” Similarly, government workers can now avail of calamity loans from government banks and the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS).