“WALANG TUBIG!”

A resident on the seventh floor screamed. Another from the sixth floor shouted.

“NA NAMAN?”

And the shouts became like falling dominos: one complaint after the other. As the shouting fiesta subsided, an explanation came to light - the motor of the water tank in Punta, Tenement exploded.

Punta Tenement Residents Association Inc., estimated that some 600 families loss water supply for

The life of the residents at the Punta Tenement in Santa Ana, Manila, has become dry due to the prolonged loss of water supply. The leading cause of the crisis is the breakdown of the motor that runs their water system, according to the Punta Tenement Residents Association Inc. (PTRAI).

It is estimated that up to 600 families were affected by this crisis, which started on September 3 and lasted until September 20.

Michelle Umali, treasurer of PTRAI, shared that there was an unexpected problem with the water tank's motor, which supplies water to every household in their community.

"Nagkaroon ng problema sa motor na ginagamit sa pag supply ng tubig sa bawat bahay," Umali said. She added that even though their water tank was inspected due to the expected heavy rains, they did not expect such a delay in water supply.

"Hindi din naman namin inexpect na aabot ng almost tatlong linggo ang pagkawala ng tubig," Umali added.

Difficulty Finding Water

Due to the lack of water, residents were forced to go to the barangay hall or the nearby barangay to get their daily water needs.

"Mahirap yung walang tubig kaya kahit limang piso yung pagpuno sa maliit na drum, okay na yun para lang may magami," said Bobby Redongga, a resident of the tenement. He added that it is also difficult for them to fetch water, especially since the tenement is a seven story building.

Other than the residents who go up and down to fetch water, others pay for someone to fetch them water. Because of this, some residents have taken advantage of the water problem to make money.

“Mahirap mag-igib ng tubig dito kaya kaming mga may cart na lang yung bumababa pero syempre, may bayad," said Makoy Serrano, one of the residents who became a 'water boy' during the water crisis.

He added that they are paid less and that they only charge P20 to P50 depending on the size and quantity of the drum that needs to be unloaded.

Finding a Solution

To restore the water supply, PTRAI had to find funds to repair the motor.

"May nakalaan na budget na pambili ng motor ngunit sumulat kami kay yorme Isko Moreno para humingi ng kulang," Umali said.

However, when asked about PTRAI's upcoming steps to prevent repeated motor breakdowns and water shortages, Umali did not give more detailed information.

PTRAI restored the Tenement community's water after three weeks, but on Oct. 6, the water went out again for only a few hours.

PTRAI is the community organization of Punta Tenement that handles and produces the water billing statement of Barangay 901 and 902, Santa Ana, Manila.