THE Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD) provided potable water to residents of Barangay Duljo Fatima, Cebu City, who were affected by the fire that hit the densely populated urban village on Jan. 2, 2020.

Camille Aurita, 20, said she lost her dog in the fire that razed her house along with 69 others.

Her tears fell as she narrated her experience and the guilt she felt for failing to rescue her pet.

The blaze also damaged the water system in the barangay, making the access to drinkable water hard for Aurita, her parents and displaced neighbors.

Aurita said she is thankful that the MCWD installed a faucet in the barangay. The water supplier did not charge residents.

“Salamat sa MCWD kay importante gyod namo ang gamit sa tubig. Naa mi mainom, magamit kon maligo, hugas ug pang-CR (I am thankful to MCWD because water is very important to us. We now have water to drink, water we can use to bath, wash and for comfort room use),” Aurita said.

Her neighbor Joseph Benavente, 57, also appreciated MCWD’s act in providing free water. The home he shared with his brother was damaged in the fire incident.

“Dili na hasol molakaw og layo mangita og tubig (It is convenient for us because we don’t have to go far to look for water),” he said.

Benavente prefers to stay in their house despite its sorry state.

As part of its social corporate responsibility, MCWD gives free water to fire victims. MCWD also remains the major source of water for firefighting in Metro Cebu. (S)