TACLOBAN CITY – City Councilor Ferdinand Martin “Marty” Romualdez Jr. is spearheading efforts to bring solar-powered water systems to Tacloban’s most water-deprived communities, aiming to ease the city’s chronic water shortage.
Romualdez met with officials of the Tacloban City District Engineering Office (TCDEO) of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) on August 1, 2025, to map out priority areas for the project. The meeting, held at the Office of the District Engineer, was attended by OIC District Engineer Ray Mate, OIC Assistant District Engineer Charlie Tampil, and Romualdez’s technical team.
Tacloban has long struggled with inadequate water supply, with some areas—particularly northern barangays and post-Yolanda resettlement sites—experiencing water pressure as low as 2 PSI, far from the ideal 10 PSI. Many residents rely on deep wells or expensive refilling stations just to meet daily needs.
“We recognize the urgency of this issue and are committed to providing technical support for sustainable solutions,” Mate said. He noted that the solar-powered water systems would serve as renewable, off-grid sources to supplement existing facilities and improve access for the hardest-hit communities.
The proposed project comes amid mounting complaints over service interruptions, low pressure, and high billing despite irregular supply. Romualdez said the goal is to deliver a sustainable and immediate relief measure while longer-term solutions to the city’s water crisis are pursued.
(JOEY A. GABIETA)
