Severe water shortage hits Baguio City

By Dexter A. See

BAGUIO CITY — This the summer capital of the country is now suffering from severe water shortage due to drying of its main water sources.

The bad timing of the water shortage in the city comes as it welcomed influx of tourists who came to see the two-day highlight of the 15th staging of the “Panagbenga” or the Baguio flower festival, particularly the street- dancing competition, and the colorful float parade and marching band competition held Feb. 28.

Despite denial from management of the Baguio Water District on severe water shortage, residents in highly elevated areas such as Aurora Hills, Quirino Hills, Quezon Hills, among others, are now experiencing twice- a- week water rationing schedule instead of the usual thrice- a- week regular supply.

Worse, the usual 12-hour water supply has been significantly reduced to only six hours since water sources are now drying up because of the El Niño phenomenon or long dry spell.

Even residents living in lower villages noticed a significant reduction in the pressure of water flowing into their homes which is an indication that the absence of rain in the coming months might deplete the city’s aquifers that will result to serious water shortage.

The Mount Santo Tomas rain basin located at the top of Mount Kabuyao in Poblacion, Tuba, Benguet, which provides water to almost one-third of the city’s population was earlier reported to have dried up due to the prolonged dry spell which reduced water supply distributed to residents in the southern part of the city.

However, the BWD management, in a press statement, claimed the water supply in the city is still under normal conditions, but they expect the situation to become worst in the coming months if the city will not have rain in the next two to three months.