Zamboanga City has been placed under a state of calamity due to El Niño. 

Declaring a state of calamity would allow the release of funds that can be used to mitigate the effects of El Niño. 

“Ang Zamboanga City Water District, they have their resources, they can utilize their resource fund. Ang mga barangay na most affected, they can utilize their (quick response) fund, of course, subject for limitation imposed by law,” Zamboanga City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (ZCDRRMO) Head, Dr. Elmeir Apolinario, said.

As the city continues to feel the effects of the drought, the Zamboanga City Water District (ZCWD) has implemented water rationing in 51 out of 60 barangays under its service area.

Authorities said the water level at the Pasonanca Water Treatment Plant that supplies water to the east coast area and central business district of the city has dropped to 74 meters, reaching its critical below normal level.

The normal level is 74.20 meters.

The water tankers of ZCWD and CDRRMO continue to supply water to affected communities.

The ZCWD considers water rationing as a solution to the city's problem on water shortage.

“Kung may dam sana tayo yun ang perfect solution pero as of now, isa sa mitigation plan ay ang water rationing talaga and ang dredgiong works para smooth ang flow ng tubig,” ZCWD Spokesperson Raul Rivera said.