Naga residents endure days of El Niño water shortage

By Paulo DS. Papa

DUE to the increasing demand for potable water supply amidst the high temperatures caused by El Niño, three water pumping stations in Naga City stopped their operations, resulting in insufficient water distribution to residents in barangays such as San Felipe, Pacol, Cararayan, San Isidro, Del Rosario and Balatas.

Aside from the city, barangays San Juan and Sua in Camaligan, Camarines Sur suffered the same results causing the Metro Naga Water District (MNWD) to receive numerous complaints.

In an interview, MNWD General Manager Florencio Mongoso Jr. confirmed that the effects of the El Niño phenomenon almost dried up the city’s water sources, leaving water pumping machines at stations, particularly in Cararayan II, Pacol III and San Isidro I unable to provide enough water supply.

Mongoso explained that MNWD personnel, who are responsible for manning all pumping stations, are operating these facilities for at least 16 hours a day, with the need to extend operations from 18 to 20 hours to ensure sufficient water distribution. Unfortunately, this extended operation has led to machine malfunctions.

He added that last April 13, the machine in Cararayan II, a station that distributes 50 liters of water per second broke down. The machine was repaired the next day, but they had to run a water laboratory test first before the operations resumed.

Additionally, Pacol III was also repaired and resumed its operations last April 14, continuing the supply of water to several parts of San Felipe and Pacol.

As of April 15, the mechanical repair of the San Isidro I water pumping station is still ongoing. Because of this, the MNWD and its consumers in San Isidro, Cararayan, Del Rosario, and Balatas may have to wait for two to three days before normal water distribution continues.