The Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) does not see the need to request for additional water allocation from the Angat Dam as watersheds are being filled with rainfall.
But MWSS said the reservoir must reach 210 to 212 meters by yearend to have a comfortable supply by next year in the light of El Niño.
“The NWRB (National Water Resources Board) allocation for MWSS for the whole August is at 48 cubic meters per second. Because of the rainfall in watersheds, we don’t need to request for additional allocation from the Angat Dam. If ever we will need it, we will coordinate with the NWRB,” said Patrick James Dizon, MWSS division manager for Angat-Ipo operation management, at the Laging Handa public briefing yesterday.
Dizon said as of yesterday morning, Angat Dam’s elevation is at 199.9 meters which is 19.9 meters above the 180-meter normal operating level of the reservoir.
Dizon, however, said the reservoir must reach 210 to 212 meters by yearend “ to prepare for the effects of El Niño which is currently expected to be felt the fourth quarter this year until second quarter next year.
The MWSS added the scheduled interruptions that are currently being implemented by both Maynilad and Manila Water in select areas of their concession areas are due to regular maintenance activities and not because of the water allocation from the Angat Dam.
In a separate statement, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said the government is refocusing its water security strategy to optimize and maximize utilization of the country’s water resources through infrastructure that enables multi-tasked usage.
DENR added the government is looking to tap other water sources and to recycle wastewater.
DENR Secretary Antonia Loyzaga said the agency will be working closely with other agencies such as the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the National Economic and Development Authority, the Local Water Utilities Administration and the MWSS on the possibility of building public water supply facilities for multiple usage including irrigation, power generation, industrial and commercial use as well as household consumption.
Loyzaga also said the DENR and DPWH are jointly studying the construction of more water collection and impounding systems as well as flood control structures as mitigation approaches to climate change and its impacts.
Loyzaga said the DENR is in talks with the Department of Finance on how the government can incentivize public-private partnerships for bulk water supply and other projects.
The agency also said the World Bank has expressed interest in funding multipurpose infrastructure to address sectors that are critically in danger because of climate change. -Jed Macapagal
