MMDA, Fil-Chi volunteer firefighters distribute water in Metro Manila

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and Filipino-Chinese volunteer firefighters have started distributing free water to depressed areas in Metro Manila affected by the prevailing water crisis. At least 107 fire trucks have been mobilized for the endeavor, the MMDA said on its website. "Of the 107 fire trucks and tankers, seven will come from the MMDA while 100 from the Text Fire Federation volunteers," the MMDA said, adding the water being distributed is taken from fire hydrants all over Metro Manila. On Tuesday, MMDA general manager Robert Nacianceno met ith Maynilad Administrator Herbert Consunji and Text Fire Federation head Gerry Chua, and mapped out the plan to pool manpower and equipment to distribute water to areas hit hard by the water shortage problem. Priority areas include depressed areas in the cities of Quezon, Caloocan and Makati, the MMDA said. Fire trucks and water tankers were deployed to Barangay Paltok, Roosevelt Ave. in Quezon City, distributing water to residents starting 7 a.m. Wednesday For his part, MMDA chairman Oscar Inocentes on Wednesday suspended the number coding scheme for fire trucks and water tankers of volunteers involved in the water-distribution effort. On the other hand, Nacianceno appealed to the public to conserve water, learn to use tabo (dipper) while bathing and refrain from using high-pressure water hoses. — LBG/RSJ, GMANews.TV