Communities badly hit by Typhoon Odette in Bohol will now get additional relief through clean, potable water, as Manila Water sets-up its mobile treatment plant (MTP) along the banks of Inabanga River. This is the second MTP in operation in calamity-hit Visayas, after the first facility was set up in Liloan, Cebu last December 23. Manila Water closely coordinated with various local government units to ensure that the MTP will be able to efficiently provide much-needed clean water to Bohol towns.
Bohol Governor Arthur Yap had earlier expressed his appreciation for the efforts of Manila Water to extend help to his constituents. “Thank you for spending your Christmas away from your family so you can help the affected families here in Bohol; for inspecting the proposed site of the mobile treatment plant location in Inabanga that will help address our water needs,” Yap shared on a social media post. Inabanga Mayor Josephine Jumamoy, for her part, was relieved that finally clean water will now be available to her constituents. “Eto po talaga ang need namin, potable water, kaya’t maraming salamat sa Manila Water at kay Gov. Yap (This Is really what our town needs, potable water, so we are extremely grateful to Manila Water and Gov. Yap) because our 50 barangays are in dire need of clean water,” Jumamoy added. Manila Water relief operations in the province are being coordinated through the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, headed by Dr. Anthony Damalerio. “The PDRRMO extend its thanks to Manila Water for its immediate response after the onslaught of Typhoon Ondoy,” Dr. Damalerio said.
Along with the MTP, Manila Water also sent two (2) 10-cubic meter water tankers to help ensure that the water produced by the MTP will be brought to more communities in Bohol. Manila Water’s MTP has the capability of treating and converting any type of raw water — river water, flood water, even saltwater — into potable drinking water. The treatment facilities, which are being operated by a crew of volunteer-employees from Manila Water, can each produce about 3,000 liters of drinking water per hour and can operate optimally up to 12 hours a day. Manila Water has been sending its MTP to disaster-stricken areas even outside of Metro Manila to augment potable water supply in evacuation centers. It was deployed to Bantayan Island in Cebu after Typhoon Yolanda hit several provinces in the Visayas in 2013.
Gov. Yap also expressed his gratitude to Manila Water Foundation for sending 500 units of 5-gallon Healthy & Pure drinking water plus several cases of hygiene products.
Apart from Bohol and Cebu, Manila Water and Manila Water Foundation are also sending relief to Siargao, Dinagat Island, Southern Leyte and Palawan in the coming days.
