The Puerto Princesa City Water District (PPCWD) said the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) has to coordinate with them the schedule of the remaining six cruise ships that will arrive to address their need for water, particularly during the summer.
PPCWD acting information officer Jenn Rausa said Tuesday this was part of their discussion during the quarterly meeting of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) they attended.
Rausa said if the cruise ships arrive during the summer, there could be a potential problem in supply since the whole city might be under water rationing due to the dry spell and the El Niño.
“Isa sa pinaka-highlight doon ay sa PPA, na-address doon na sa summer season kasi maraming cruise ships na darating daw. Kapag nag-implement ng water rationing, mataon na ‘yang area sa port ay walang tubig tapos may cruise ship o mag-re-refill ng tubig ang barko, walang mabigay, so ang ginawang ano na lang doon ay magkakaroon ng coordination ang water district at PPA. I-inform kami ng schedule ng arrival ng mga cruise ships para ma-monitor na sa ganitong panahon, kapag mawalan ng tubig sa area, makapagpadala agad,” she said.
Rausa said the recent meeting helped the PPCWD in understanding the situation to look for a possible solution to the potential dilemma when water rationing is imposed.
“Kung di pa kami nakapag-conduct ng meeting na ‘yon, hindi kami ma-i-inform about sa maraming parating na cruise ships. ‘Yong pangangailangan, ‘yong coordination talaga with them ay importante lalo na ngayon na summer, marami talagang turista, daming activities din ‘yan malamang dito kaya maganda na may direct coordination ang water district with iba’t ibang opisina,” she pointed out.
Based on the list of the City Tourism Office (CTO), 14 cruise ships are expected to make port calls within the year. The eight cruise ship, the MS Maasdam, arrived Tuesday.
Along with the concern on water supply for cruise ships, Rausa said, is the influx of tourists to city hotels for conventions and other large gatherings.
“Isa sa mga gagawin na kapag mayroon ng mga convention na ganyan, for example, hindi muna hihinaan ang area ng hotel na ‘yon or mag-i-inject agad. Magpapadala agad ng tubig lalo na kapag hindi taga-rito ang mga bisita,” Rausa added.
A meeting on March 22 will be conducted by the PPCWD with various stakeholders in commemoration of the World Water Day.
The quarterly meeting, on the other hand, was led by the city government with the of Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), City Information Office (CTO), Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) and the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (CDRRMO).
