Pandacan residents rush fire truck amid water service interruption

After experiencing a water service interruption, residents of Manila's Pandacan district rushed a firetruck that was delivering water to the community.

According to a Sunday 24 Oras News alert, in their attempt to receive a water ration, locals ignored COVID-19 health protocols to get at the firetruck.

Social distancing rules were ignored and crowds formed, with some not even bothering with facemasks.

The local barangay promised to control the crowds the next time the water ration was delivered.

Maynilad, for its part, reassured locals that water delivery services would be continuous.

The water service interruption in Manila began on October 29 and would continue until November 1.

The water service interruption was announced by Maynilad Water Services Inc. earlier this month, due to flood control activities of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

It was initially scheduled for October 25 to 28 but was pushed back due to public demand.

According to Maynilad Water Supply Operations Head Engineer Ronald Padua, the interruptions may take longer than anticipated.

“Mayroon kaming nakikitang bahagyang pag-delay doon sa actual implementation doon sa site… Mag-e-extend ng possible between five to 14 hours ‘yung pagbalik ng supply sa kanila,” he said in a report on GMA’s “24 Oras Weekend” on Sunday.

(We see a slight delay in the actual implementation on the site. The interruptions may be extended by between five to 14 hours.)

The service interruptions cover Las Piñas; Makati; Manila; Parañaque; Pasay; Bacoor; Cavite City; Imus; Kawit, Cavite; Noveleta, Cavite; and Rosario, Cavite.

Maynilad currently serves customers in the west zone, which covers the cities of Caloocan, Las Piñas, Makati, Malabon Manila, Muntinlupa, Navotas, Parañaque, Pasay, Quezon, Valenzuela. It also services certain areas in Cavite such as the cities of Bacoor, Cavite, and Imus; and the towns of Kawit, Noveleta, and Rosario. — DVM, GMA News