In a town once known as ‘Tubig,’ residents lose sleep waiting for water

EASTERN SAMAR, Philippines – “Kalbaryo.”

This is how Dayan Hilario-Cebreros describes the state of the water supply in Taft, Eastern Samar.

A working mother of three, Dayan often remains awake at 2 a.m., staring at a dry tap, while the rest of Taft slumbers.

In this town, which, ironically, was once known as Tubig for its abundant water sources, water interruptions have become part of the daily routine.

When the water does arrive in the early morning hours, the pressure is often too weak to reach the faucets inside their house. It is also usually brown and murky. This means residents need to let the sediments settle before the water can be used.