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.
She said that whenever a firetruck’s siren could be heard, they get ready their containers.
The municipal government 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 municipal 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.
Some farmers in the upper barangays have been complaining of lack of rain that has affected their farms due to the weak El Niño.
The province of Bohol, said to be breadbasket of Central Visayas, has been hit by weak El Niño, the weather phenomenon that is disrupting temperature and rainfall patterns around the world.
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 Nino.
