DCWD to send drinking water to typhoon victims
By Iona Finlay C. Mendoza
Victims of Typhoon Odette will be given bottles of safe drinking water sourced directly from Davao City’s water resources.
Davao City Water District (DCWD) spokesperson Jovana Cresta Duhayslungsod said during a press conference on Wednesday, that they are producing safe drinking bottled waters in either 500mL bottles or 5 gallons to be distributed per family.
“We are already preparing ang mga bottled water donation. Naa tay target, contact na panghatagan in the Visayas and also diri sa Mindanao (We have a target and contacts of beneficiaries in Visayas and Mindanao),” said the spokesperson.
In terms of logistics, Duhaylungsod said DCWD partnered with other organizations for the deployment of the donation. The water service provider targets to produce 1,000 bottles per organization to reach as many families as possible.
According to Duhaylungsod, the drinking water is taken directly from Davao City’s water resources and meets the Philippine National Standards for Drinking Water.
Aside from bottled waters, DCWD is also looking into the possibility of deploying water tankers for transporting water from available sources to affected areas.
“If ever man naay reqest na isa ka LGU na naa available (water) source, we (can use) water tanker for mobility, transportation para madala ni sa mga tao (If ever an LGU has an available water source in the area, we can deploy the water tankers to transport water from the source and distribute to affected areas),” said Duhaylungsod.
In the event of such a request, Duhaylungsod said that DCWD along with other Mindanao water districts, can deploy their respective water tankers.
DCWD said that they are eyeing to continue the relief operation until the end of the year.
“We are hoping [that] we can continue with the bottled water donation as the need arises, and we are targeting even at the end of the year, naa tay mapadala (we can still donate),” she said.
Duhaylungsod said that the first deployment of the donation was on the evening of December 22. ICM
