Residents pray for rains as Sierra Bullones  declares state of calamity amid water shortage

By Bohol Island News Staff/09:50 PM August 24, 2019

Lodi Quieta, a resident of Barangay Bugsoc in Sierra Bullones town in Bohol, had been in line for four hours when the town’s lone firetruck arrived at 11:30 a.m.But the water ran out after less than one-third of those in line were served, and she had no choice but to wait for its return.“Maghuwat rako kay para naa mi mainom (I have to wait so that we have potable water to drink,” said Quieta, a mother of three.“Lisud kaayo ang tubig dugay na walay agas mga duha na ka buwan,” she added.She said that whenever a firetruck’s siren could be heard, they get ready their containers.

The municipal government city of Sierra Bullones declared a state of calamity amid the water shortage in the area, an official said Saturday.

Municipal assessor and Information Officer designate Saturnino Daguplo Jr said that in an emergency meeting last Tuesday, the muncipal council approved the resolution.

A state of calamity would allow the local government to tap their emergency funds to buy items to help them address the water shortage.

Daguplo said the municipal government will buy water pumps.Daguplo said that 8 barangays— Poblacion, Salvador, San Agustin, San Jose, San Juan, Bugsoc, Sta. Cruz and Villa Garcia —were already affected by the water shortage as their water source dwindled.

The villages of Poblacion, Salvador, San Agustin, have been heavily affected by the shortage although some areas have water, he added.

“Hinay na siya kay ming-less na ang tubig sa source. Dili na siya pareha sauna nga 24 hours available ang tubig (Our water source recedes. Unlike before the water is not already available for 24 hours),” Daguplo said.He said local authorities suspected that an earthquake which jolted the town last month may have also disrupted the flow of underground water supply.

“Naapektuhan jud sa linog ang source sa water namo (Someone the quake affected the water source), he said.

On Saturday, a firetruck provides residents their much-needed water supply for the day.

The provincial disaster risk reduction and management office (PDRRMO) also monitored the distribution of water supply, according to an FB post of PDRRMO chief Anthony Damalerio.

Some farmers in the upper barangays have been complaining of lack of rain that has affected their farms due to the weak El Niño.

Farmer Rodel Perocho of Barangay Canlangit said he was not able to plant this June because of water shortage.

“Wala nay uwan. Kung naay uwan gamay ra sab mao wala mi katanom diri (There is no rain. If there is rain it is not enough to plant),” said Perocho.

“Hinaot nga mag-uwan na og kusog para makatanom nami diri sa bukid (We pray it will rain so that we can plant now), ” he added.

The province of Bohol, said to be rice bowl of Central Visayas, has been hit by weak El Niño.

According to consolidated report of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist, an initial of Php122,784,596.76 worth of rice and other farm crops were at a loss.

Some 7,244.44 metric tons of rice and other crops in 7,863 hectares in 20 municipalities have been adversely affected by the drought as a result of El Niño.