BY MA. THERESA LADIAO
ILOILO City – The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in Iloilo City has identified potential water sources to address possible supply shortages caused by the El Niño phenomenon, particularly when responding to fire incidents within the city.
According to city fire marshal, Fire Superintendent Melanie Habawel, their current water supply from Barangay Tabuc Suba, Jaro district is still sufficient at present.
However, there is a concern that the supply may become inadequate due to the increasing number of fire calls they respond to.
Among the potential water sources identified by the BFP are swimming pools and private water concessionaires supplying water to water refilling stations.
Habawel explained that the BFP-Iloilo City has an agreement with these private water concessionaires to assist in the event of large-scale fires.
There is no charge for accessing water from these concessionaires, she clarified.
Another concern for the BFP is the growing number of barangays and government agencies requesting water delivery.
Habawel noted that while they can still accommodate these requests at the moment, they may not be able to guarantee approval in the coming weeks as the BFP prioritizes water for firefighting purposes.
As El Niño continues to affect water sources and availability, the BFP remains proactive in identifying alternative water sources to ensure their readiness to respond to fire incidents while managing potential supply shortages effectively./PN
