MANILA -- President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Thursday underscored the need to procure more water purifying systems that will address supply problems during disasters, in the wake of a magnitude 7 earthquake that struck northern Luzon.

“One of the things that we have found useful in all of the disasters pag water supply ang nagiging problema are the water purifying systems that are very simple. You’ve seen them before ‘yung nasa balde and then they have a filter,” the President said during a situation briefing on the effects of the earthquake in Abra.

“We should procure more of those because immediately water is always going to be a problem para hindi — you know, things like cholera, diphtheria will come into play,” Marcos said.

Abra Vice Governor Maria Jocelyn Bernos reported that soil movement may have caused problems in the province’s water system lines.

The chief executive said the water supply in the province should be restored immediately.

“Well, that again is actually even more of a priority than communications and power. That’s something that has to be restored immediately,” he said.

The Office of Civil Defense-Cordillera Administrative Region (OCD-CAR) said the whole province of Abra needs 300,000 bottles of drinking water.

“So initially I coordinated with the Office of Civil Defense Central Office, so may parating na po na initial na 500 boxes of distilled water,” OCD-CAR Regional Director Albert Mogol said, adding that a total of 6,250 boxes are needed.

“Naglo-loading na po sa central office ang Office of Civil Defense. It will be coming anytime this day,” he said.

In addition, Senator Imee Marcos will send a purifier to Abra province.

“We’ve found in Ilocos Norte that those are very helpful. You don’t have the disposal of plastic and all the other issues that surround distilled water,” she said.

The President said the government could source the water purifying system from non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that also provided the device when super typhoon Yolanda struck in 2013.

“Maganda niyan it’s sufficient to supply 100 people per day. So if the barangay has four, five, six of them at least may tubig na,” Marcos said.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), for its part, provided Abra with ten water purifiers. (PND)