The Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) has asked the National Water Resources Board (NWRB) to retain the 52 cubic meters per second (cms) water allocation from Angat Dam for Metro Manila concessionaires for the entire month of June.
Patrick James Dizon, MWSS division manager for Angat-Ipo operation management, said the request letter was sent to the NWRB two weeks ago.
“We’ve mentioned in previous months that such allocation is needed by the entire Metro Manila and nearby provinces to maintain a scenario where there are no supply interruptions. Tomorrow, there will be a special board meeting with the NWRB to discuss our request as well as to explain to the board of NWRB the needs of the MWSS for uninterrupted water supply,” Dizon said.
MWSS said in the previous years, the allocation requested from the NWRB for June is around 48 cms which has resulted in water interruptions in some portions of the southern area of the Metro including Cavite, Pasay and Muntinlupa, but has not been highlighted.
“What we want to avoid is a scenario when there is a supply problem in the south especially areas being supplied by the Laguna Lake. It is the reason why we requested for additional allocation, so that nobody will experience water interruptions. Thus, we want to maintain the 52 cms allocation,” Dizon added.
Earlier, the NWRB said the 52 cms allocation for April and May was possible as the water supply needs for irrigation in Bulacan and Pampanga have lessened due to the start of harvest season.
NWRB had said resumption of water allocation from Angat Dam for irrigation will most likely be sometime in the second or third week of June and its volume will be coordinated with the National Irrigation Administration.
However, the agency also said historically, water allocation for irrigation is not fixed and is adjusted based on actual needs. – Jed Macapagal
