By CESAR JOLITO III

The Bago City government is intensifying efforts to ensure the safety of its residents’ drinking water following the recent ashfall and eruption of Kanlaon Volcano, as authorities continue to deliver potable supply to affected communities in Barangay Mailum.

Dr. Merijene Ortizo, head of the Bago Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, said they are still awaiting the results of the physico-chemical analysis of water sources in Mailum to determine if the supply remains safe for drinking.

“We don’t want to put the health of residents at risk,” Ortizo said, adding that they are coordinating with the city’s Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Cluster for the ongoing testing of affected water sources.

As a precaution, the city government has continued its water rationing operations to 12 puroks in Barangay Mailum whose water systems were contaminated by volcanic ash.

So far, 20,000 liters of potable water have been delivered to 5,833 residents, with an additional 10,000 liters scheduled for distribution, according to a report from the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.

Ortizo said the city’s water deliveries are being coordinated with the barangay captains to ensure that supply reaches the most affected households.

She also noted that heavy rains over the past days have helped wash away much of the volcanic ash that blanketed parts of Bago City.

“We are closely monitoring the situation while awaiting test results. Safety remains our top priority,” Ortizo assured.

The city government continues to urge residents to boil or disinfect water from local sources before use, pending official confirmation that the supply is safe for consumption./CJ, WDJ