Butuan: The Department of Social Welfare and Development in Caraga (DSWD-13) has received a 10,000-liter water tanker from DSWD-Region 12 to bolster ongoing rationing operations in Butuan City, which was placed under a state of calamity last week due to the prolonged dry spell. The tanker was turned over Wednesday, marking an additional resource in the city's emergency response.

According to Philippines News Agency, this intervention is part of DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian's mandate to ensure that immediate assistance reaches communities affected by the ongoing water shortage. The agency also met with Mayor Lawrence Lemuel Fortun on Wednesday to coordinate immediate measures to address the crisis. "DSWD-13 Regional Director Mari-Flor Dollaga has ensured the timely deployment and utilization of the water tanker to help address the urgent water needs of the affected families in Butuan City," the agency added.

The Butuan City Water District (BCWD), in an advisory Wednesday, said rationing will continue in barangays experiencing supply interruptions. Each affected barangay will have designated distribution points where tankers will deliver and dispense water. "Water rationing will not be conducted on a house-to-house basis," BCWD said, noting operations run daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

As of Wednesday, 11 tankers from BCWD, the Bureau of Fire Protection, the Agusan del Norte provincial government, the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office, and private firms were already engaged in daily rationing. The BCWD also reported that as of Wednesday, its total water supply has dropped to 33.04 million liters per day (MLD) and is considered at critical level from its normal supply of 55 MLD.

Meanwhile, DSWD-13 reported sustained interventions in Dinagat Islands, also hit by the water crisis. As of Wednesday, 9,020 family food packs, 4,600 10-liter bottled waters, and 2,300 refillable containers had been delivered to residents in San Jose town. "DSWD-13 continues to work closely with local government units and other partners in Dinagat Islands to ensure that essential assistance reaches families and communities affected by the water shortage," the agency said.