Following President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to ease the people’s suffering in Siquijor, the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) is now taking steps to address water supply problems caused by the power crisis in the island.

While personally addressing the extended power blackouts in Siquijor, President Marcos also ordered concerned agencies to fix the ensuing water shortage.

“Mismong Presidente ang nagbigay ng direktiba na ayusin ang problema ng kuryente at tubig sa Siquijor. We’re happy to take on the challenge,” LWUA administrator Jose Moises Salonga said in a Malacañang press briefing on Friday.

According to Salonga, Siquijor’s low power supply hinders the proper operation of water pumps, disrupting distribution across the province.

To provide immediate relief, LWUA asked for a power generator from Dumaguete City in Negros Island to cover for the operations of the water pumps.

He clarified that the generator will be used only for distributing water and will be separate from the generators being brought in by the National Electrification Administration to temporarily provide power supply.

Salonga said LWUA has coordinated with the nearest water district, the Dumaguete City Water District, which is under a joint venture with Metro Pacific Water.

“They have already agreed that they will lend a water lorry and a genset. Dadalhin na iyon sa Siquijor Island,” Salonga said.

He said the LWUA has already identified a water source in Siquijor from which the lorry will obtain water for distribution to affected areas.

As a long-term solution, LWUA approved last week a financial package for upgrading the Siquijor Water District, Salonga said. | PND