The Zamboanga City government has declared a state of calamity due to low water levels in the city's water sources due to the El Niño phenomenon.
ZAMBOANGA City is under a state of calamity as due to low water level at Pasonanca Dam. (Photo courtesy of PIA)
Vice Mayor Pinpin Pareja said the Sangguniang Panlungsod has approved the recommendation of the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council and the Zamboanga City Water District to declare of a state of calamity.
In a press conference on Tuesday, March 5, Zamboanga City Water District Public Information Officer Raul Rivera confirmed critical water levels at Pasonanca Dam.
The water level at the dam has fallen to 74 meters, .20 meters lower than the normal level of 74.20.
Pasonanca Dam supplies water to the city’s east coast and central district, areas which are now experiencing water rationing due to the dry spell.
The west coast has been subjected to water rationing due to low water supply at the Primewater facility since January.
Rivera said 51 out of 60 barangays, translating to 41,831 out of 69,553 individuals being serviced by ZCWD, have been affected by the dry spell.