Water service in Barangay Tumana, Marikina City was restored Saturday after the city government paid P15 million to Manila Water as an initial settlement of the barangay’s ballooning arrears, averting what officials described as a public health emergency affecting about 3,000 residents.

The payment was made on 20 December following the disconnection of Tumana’s water supply two days earlier over an unpaid balance that had reached P37.19 million. City officials said the amount was released as emergency humanitarian assistance to immediately reconnect households.

Mayor Marjorie Ann “Maan” Teodoro, accompanied by District 1 Rep. Marcelino “Marcy” Teodoro and members of the City Council, personally turned over the check at Manila Water’s Tumana office.

Afterward, city officials and Manila Water personnel jointly reopened 13 water gate valves serving the barangay to confirm that supply had been restored.

“Today, we paid P15 million to Manila Water as an initial payment to immediately reconnect the water services of approximately 3,000 residents in Barangay Tumana,” Teodoro said.