Iloilo hospitals, city gov’t prepare alternative water sources amid dry spell

THE ILOILO City government has started prepositioning 39 water delivery trucks in anticipation of reduced water supply amid the prevailing dry spell that is expected to continue until June or August. Mayor Jose S. Espinosa III said in an interview Friday that these trucks will be deployed to the identified 38 “susceptible barangays.” The city government is now planning the distribution scheme as well as sources for the potable water supply, including private companies and the fire brigades. Mr. Espinosa also appealed to the public to be more prudent on water use even if there is no shortage yet. “Save on water,” he said.
HOSPITALS
Meanwhile, government hospitals in the Western Visayas Region have also started looking into alternative ground water sources even if the current supply remains normal, according to the Department of Health regional office (DoH-6). “Mambusao District Hospital and Tapaz District Hospital in Capiz, Gov. Valeriano Gatuslao Memorial District Hospital in Himamaylan, Negros Occidental and Gustilo District Hospital in Escalante, Negros Occidental are seeking ground water sources to prepare once their supply runs out,” said DoH-6 Medical Officer Eduardo Fillaro Jr. He said most of the government hospitals in the region source their water from deep wells, surface water, and the water utility in their respective areas. — Emme Rose S. Santiagudo