Wire theft leaves 5,000 households without water in Pagadian City

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur — Thieves broke into the pumping station of Pamana Water Corporation here, carting away electrical wiring and other components that crippled operations and left five barangays without a water supply.

The affected areas include Barangays Dao, Bulatok, Manga, Lenienza, San Jose, and portions of Sta. Maria.

Engr. Isagani Kagatan, engineering head of Pagadian City Water District,  said the stolen wires, estimated at 500 meters and valued at P700,000, were vital to powering the main pumping station and three booster stations, which in turn service around 5,000 households.

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READ: Man arrested for stealing copper wires beneath San Juanico Bridge

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“The suspects may have been experts, as the lines were still live when they were taken. It is possible they had experience in electrical work,” Kagatan noted, adding that an assessment of the missing components was ongoing.

Witnesses reported seeing a yellow tricycle near the facility at the time of the break-in on Monday, which authorities believe may have been used to haul the stolen items. Investigators are now checking junk shops in the city and nearby areas for possible disposal of the wires.

The affected barangays have been enduring water outages since the incident.

PCWD and Pamana have been distributing water to affected areas while urging residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities near pumping stations.

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“We appeal for your help. If you have any information or have noticed suspicious individuals near our pumping stations, please report immediately to our office or the nearest authorities,” Kagatan said.

He also urged residents to cooperate in safeguarding the city’s water facilities, stressing that community vigilance is vital to prevent similar incidents./coa

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