A barangay in Naga City, Camarines Sur has been grappling with a water supply shortage for nearly five years, which has frustrated and inconvenienced residents. 

Residents face the challenge of getting water for their daily needs, especially when the water pressure is low, and sometimes faucets would run dry.

This issue adds up as the Metropolitan Naga Water District (MNWD) continues to issue bills to consumers in the entirety of its service area.

“Kapag dae ka nakabayad sa duwang bill, putol sinda. Mabayad ka ning reconnection, P500. Pigsasabi mi na man na mayong bulos [pero] ang katwiran baga ninda, magreklamo daa sa NAWASA (National Water and Sewerage Authority) [pero] mayo man giraray nangyayari,” Rolan Baños, a resident, said.

Residents resort to collecting water when water pressure is sufficient, often at around 2 a.m. before it dwindles again around 4 a.m.

“Minsan haros garo kusog ning ihi baga ang bulos niya. Direkta na sa baba [kang harong ko] ta duman kaya [sa taas] halangkaw duman, dae na minalaog ang tubig,” Alfredo Bobos, another resident, added.

One contributing factor to the water supply issue is the presence of booster pumps in certain residences, affecting water pressure and distribution. 

Residents have urged authorities to rectify the installation of these pumps or, if possible, refrain from using them to ensure equitable water distribution across households.

Barangay councilwoman Glen Francisco attributes the shortage in the growing population in the area.

“Poon kang pagdakol kang tao digdi sa urban, saka nagluya ang tubig. Pero kaito, abot sa puro ang tubig… sana matabangan [at] ma-priority ang Mabolo sa pangangaipo kan tubig,” Francisco said.

Francisco said that she has been lobbying actively for the local government and MNWD to prioritize resolving the water supply issue.

SOLUTION

According to MNWD, the Almeda Pumping Station they are establishing will solve the water problem.

The office is scheduled to follow up on the water permit application submitted to the National Water Resources Board on April 10.

“Once na magluwas ang permit, mapa-construct na kami kang pumping station, and then su genset house, and electromechanical na mga gamit. Mapa-construct pa kami kaitong water lines which is sadit-sadit kaya ang tubo diyan, two inches lang and dakulon ang population,” Choppy De La Cruz, the Public Information Officer of MNWD, said.