Puerto Galera Eyes New Deep Wells Amid Water Crisis, Geo-Survey to Map Water Sources

Puerto Galera. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO/MADONNA T. VIROLA CALAPAN CITY—The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) will conduct a geo-resistivity survey in Puerto Galera to identify viable sites for additional deep wells as the local government seeks a long-term solution to the water shortage affecting the popular tourist destination. Mayor Robinhood Ylagan said the survey is expected to pinpoint areas with sufficient groundwater potential to support the construction of new deep wells. “This survey will enable MGB to accurately identify locations with sufficient groundwater potential. This ensures that the deep wells we will construct in the future can deliver a stable and reliable water source for our constituents,” Ylagan said in a statement posted on the Puerto Galera Public Information Office’s official Facebook page on Tuesday. He said the initiative is part of the municipality’s efforts to strengthen its long-term water infrastructure and prevent recurring shortages, particularly during the dry season and periods of peak demand. Municipal administrator Carmela Leviste-Datinguinoo said MGB has initially identified five potential groundwater sources in the villages of Sinandigan, Sto. Niño, San Isidro, Balatero, and Talipanan. “The five water sources are only initial options and we are expecting more can be located. We are expecting the result of the study to be out in one week,” Leviste-Datinguinoo said in a phone interview on Wednesday. Puerto Galera remains under a state of calamity because of the persistent water shortage that has affected households, businesses and the town’s tourism industry. In 2016, then Mayor Rocky Ilagan sought the construction of deep wells in four villages at a cost of P50 million. However, the water produced by the wells was later declared nonpotable after only a short period of operation. The town’s water supply is managed by the local government’s Puerto Galera Waterworks System (PGWS), which serves 10 of the municipality’s 13 barangays. The utility said its dependable water supply has fluctuated over the years, dropping to as low as 100 cubic meters per day in some areas. PGWS also operates a sewage wastewater treatment facility in Barangay Sabang with the capacity to treat up to 1,750 cubic meters of wastewater daily. The local government assured residents that it is working closely with national agencies to implement both immediate and long-term measures to address the municipality’s water supply problem.