LWUA targets fixing water system in Odette-hit areas in 15 days —exec

The Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) is eyeing to fix in 15 days the water system in regions severely affected by Typhoon Odette's onslaught, its administrator said on Sunday.

About half of 181 water districts in six regions were affected by Typhoon Odette, LWUA administrator Guiling "Gene" Mamondiong said over Super Radyo dzBB.

"Tina-target natin siguro about 15 days kasi napakahalaga ito... 'Yun po napakahalaga nito," said Mamondiong, when asked how long it would take for LWUA to restore water services in Odette-stricken areas.

(We are targeting maybe about 15 days because this is very important.)

This despite the limited manpower in LWUA. Mamondiong said they are hoping to have more funds to easily reach provinces hit by the typhoon.

"Kasi ang LWUA po is also undermanned, undermanned po kami (LWUA is undermanned)," said Mamondiong.

He also lamented that they need more funds to establish offices in regions.

"It will allow us put up offices in those areas. Napakahirap tugunan ang pangangailangan. Hindi biro makatawid doon, mahirap makatawid. Napakahirap kasi we are a country of island provinces... It will require a planning," said the LWUA official.

(It is difficult to address their needs. It isn't easy to travel there. It is difficult because we are a country of island provinces.)

Mamondiong also called for mobile treatment water plants to provide potable water for far-flung areas.

"Looking forward, dapat nagawa natin noon pa e kasi we are a country of several islands so kailangan natin mobile treatment plant. Dapat natin ma-station sa rehiyon,"  he said.

(Looking forward, we should've done this before because we are a country of several islands. So we need a  mobile treatment plant and we need to station it in every region.)

Nevertheless, Mamondiong said they also provided potable water as well as food packs in typhoon-hit regions.

Government figures showed that four cities or municipalities experienced water supply interruption. Of the number, one city has had its water supply restored. 

Aside from water supply, authorities are working on restoring electricity in areas with power supply that were shut down by Odette. 

Authorities are hoping to fully restore by February 2022 the electricity in regions battered by Typhoon Odette which left hundreds of people homeless, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said Sunday. —KG, GMA News