Workers for an events place in Tagaytay observe Taal volcano as it spews steam on Friday. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News
TAGAYTAY CITY—Because of a limited water supply, several businesses here are rescheduling their reopening, nearly a week after Taal Volcano came to life and an ensuing ashfall brought a number of towns to a standstill.
While power has been restored in parts of Tagaytay, most of the city’s 2,295 commercial establishments have been relying on water deliveries since the volcano’s restiveness downed power and water lines.
Cheryl Agapay, who owns a ridge-side bulalo joint, said she has spent nearly P40,000 in 3 days to buy 24 truckloads of water to wash the mud away at her restaurant.
“Kailangang kailangan namin ng tubig para matanggal sa bubong ’yung makapal na putik,” she told ABS-CBN News.
“Hindi na namin kaya hintayin na mabalik ’yung supply para malinis na agad at kailangan din talaga sa restaurant business ang tubig.”
SkyRanch, the city’s amusement park, also availed of hefty water deliveries to be able to resume operations Saturday morning, just 6 days after the volcano began spewing ash, which spread to nearby areas, including Tagaytay.
“It’s not all about business. Marami rin kasi kaming empleyado na umaasa sa amin kaya gusto na namin mag-open ulit,” said Ryan Go, SkyRanch’s operating officer.
Power companies have yet to restore electricity in Tagaytay’s main pumping station, said city disaster risk reduction and management office chief Clyde Yayong.
Water providers are still checking the quality of Kaybubutong Spring, one of the city’s sources of water that was partly contaminated by Taal’s sulfuric ash, Yayong said.
Authorities hope to fully restore power and water in one of Southern Luzon’s tourism destinations next week, he said.
Local authorities plan to hold a grand reopening of Tagaytay on January 24 in time for the Chinese New Year.