NAGA CITY. Philippines — Mayor Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo has appealed to Nagueños to conserve water as the city government intensifies its information and education campaign in preparation for the expected impact of El Niño.
Robredo said the city government is using its social media platforms and conducting forums in barangays and schools to provide residents with practical measures they can adopt to help cushion the effects of the weather phenomenon.
Raynor Rodriguez, head of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), said the information, education and communication (IEC) campaign focuses on practical ways for residents to help the city mitigate the impact of El Niño, particularly on water security.
The CDRRMO has been posting a series of 12 information materials on practical tips through its Facebook page and the city government website, naga.gov.ph, from Oct. 1 to 12.
The campaign comes as the Metro Naga Water District (MNWD) reported that about 30 percent of the city’s water sources had declined, raising the possibility of reduced water supply, particularly in barangays already experiencing supply problems because of their geographical locations.
Robredo said one of the challenges confronting the MNWD is the need to install additional distribution pipes to serve the city’s growing population, pending the release of the necessary funds from the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA).
MNWD General Manager Florencio Mongoso, however, assured Robredo that the city’s current water supply is expected to last until December 2026.
The declining water level is also being felt in some groundwater sources, including creeks and streams, particularly those in towns where water from Mt. Isarog flows toward Naga.
On the possibility of water rationing, Robredo said she hoped it would not become necessary because of inadequate water supply. If implemented, however, she said the plan would involve scheduled interruptions in selected areas to allow other areas to receive water, rather than requiring residents to line up with containers to obtain limited supplies.
Rodriguez urged residents not only to store water properly but, more importantly, to use it wisely and avoid unnecessary consumption.
He cited dishwashing as one household activity where water can be conserved, noting that using a basin instead of continuously running water can significantly reduce consumption.
Rodriguez said that if 50,000 households use basins when washing dishes, the practice could save an estimated 50,000 liters of water per washing cycle. With dishwashing typically done three times a day, the potential savings could reach about 150,000 liters daily.
The city government is encouraging residents to adopt such simple water-saving practices as part of the broader effort to strengthen Naga’s preparedness for El Niño. | via Jason B. Neola, CMO-Public Information Division head
