THE Task Force El Niño does not foresee a possible water crisis in Metro Manila and surrounding provinces anytime soon despite the combined effects of the El Niño phenomenon and the summer season.
TF El Niño spokesman Joey Villarama said in an interview yesterday that as of April 2, the water level in Angat Dam — which is the main source of potable water in Metro Manila and nearby provinces – was at 198 meters, which is still higher than the critical level or minimum operating level of 180 meters.
Villarama, however, urged the public to do their share to conserve water as he noted that the water level of Angat Dam drops around 30 centimeters per day.
“Sa ngayon, hindi po nakikita na magkakaproblema, na bababa sa critical level na 180 meters ang Angat Dam (For now, we do not foresee a problem that the water level in Angat Dam will reach the critical level of 180 meters),” he said.
Villarama said that in Metro Manila, contingency measures are in place to augment the water supply and avoid a water crisis, such as the availability of 137 deep wells located around Metro Manila and Rizal which are ready to be tapped when needed.
He said 10 of these deep wells are currently being used.
He said the water from the wells are treated by the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System before these are distributed to the Manila Water and Maynilad concessionaires.
Villarama said water pressure is also being reduced during off peak hours, or between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. to reduce leaks and wastage.
DANGER LEVEL
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) yesterday afternoon said the heat index in 13 areas in the country could reach “danger” level.
Forecast to have a 44 degrees Celsius heat index is Roxas City in Capiz, while a 43 degrees Celsius heat index is expected in the vicinity of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Pasay City, Dagupan City in Pangasinan, Aparri in Cagayan, Aborlan in Palawan, Pili in Camarines Sur, Iloilo City in Iloilo, and Dumangas in Iloilo.
PAGASA also said the Science Garden in Quezon City, Sangley Point in Cavite, San Jose in Occidental Mindoro, Puerto Princesa City in Palawan, and Catbalogan in Western Samar are forecast to have 42 degrees Celsius heat index.
CLASS SUSPENSIONS
As the heat index continued to surge, more local government units suspended in-person classes due to the prevailing very hot temperature.
In Metro Manila, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte issued an advisory on Monday night canceling face-to-face classes yesterday and directing all daycare centers, alternative learning centers, and public elementary and secondary schools to implement asynchronous or synchronous classes.
Based on its iRISE UP or Intelligent, Resilient, and Integrated System for Urban Population system, the QC government said the heat index in the city was expected to reach 41 degrees Celsius.
It left to the discretion of private schools whether they will also shift to asynchronous/synchronous classes or not.
In Muntinlupa City, all morning classes from kindergarten to senior high school, including Child Development Centers in public schools, were shortened to until 10 a.m. only.
The Schools Division Office of Navotas City, meanwhile, said all public schools in the city will implement adjusted class schedules if the heat index is at 40 degrees Celsius or higher but private schools have the discretion whether to suspend their in-person classes or not.
Under the directive, morning classes will be held from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., while afternoon classes will be from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. for elementary schools, and 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. for secondary schools.
Blended learning were also implemented in all public schools in Caloocan City, except for Grade 6 students taking their National Achievement Test.
The Manila City Schools Division also allowed teachers and students to wear more comfortable clothing other than their respective school uniforms.
In Central Luzon, F2F classes for preschool to senior high school in public schools were also suspended in Calumpit and Malolos City in Bulacan.
In Pangasinan, in-person classes for preschool to senior high school in public and private schools were also canceled in the towns of Mangaldan and San Manuel, while in Santa Barbara, F2F classes will be suspended until April 5.
In the Visayas region, in-person classes for preschool to senior high school in public schools in Bacolod City and Talisay City were also suspended, though it left to the discretion of private schools with air-conditioned rooms if they want to continue face-to-face classes.
Classes in public and private schools were also suspended in Bago City, E.B. Magalona, Hinoba-an, Silay City, and Kabankalan City in Negros Occidental, and in Iloilo City.
In Mindanao, in-person classes in all levels in public and private schools are suspended in General Santos City until April 5, while in Tantangan, South Cotabato, afternoon in-person classes in all levels are canceled until April 15.
Similar suspension of classes were also implemented in Sultan Kudarat province until April 15.
The Department of Education (DepEd), in an updated list, said in-person classes were also suspended in Dagupan City, Pangasinan; Polangui in Albay; Maasin Central School in Maasin City; Pagadian City Pilot School and Buenavista Integrated School in Zamboanga City; Banga town in South Cotabato; and Polomolok City and Maasim in Saranggani.
The DepEd also said the alternative distance learning mode is being implemented in schools in Mangaldan, Mapandan and Calasiao in Pangasinan; Calumpit in Bulacan; Angeles City in Pampanga; Passi City and San Carlos City in Negros Occidental; and Guimaras Island, Biliran, and Carmen Central District in South Cotabato.
Alternative learning modes are also being implemented for the afternoon classes in President Roxas North and Kabacan District in South Cotabato; and at the Sto. Niño Elementary School, Marbel 3 Elementary School, Esimos Cataluna Elementary School, Marbel 5 Elementary School, Manuel Dondiego Elementary School, Mangga Elementary School, Marbel 4 Elementary School, and Carpenter Hill Elementary School all in Koronadal City.
In the Bicol area, Mayor Raymond Salceda of Polanguie in Albay ordered all schools, both public and private, “to implement a half-day face-to-face classes” yesterday.
Salceda asked the schools to conduct asynchronous classes in the afternoon and to implement safety measures during F2F classes to “prevent heat-related illnesses brought on by the high heat index.”
The measures include the provision of drinking water, ensuring schools have adequate ventilation, and the wearing of comfortable but “appropriate” school attire.
In Guinobatan, also in Albay, Mayor Paul Garcia advised public and private schools to shift to modular or online classes “as part of our preparedness to minimize the impact of heat.”
Garcia also said schools should ensure that drinking water are available in all classrooms during in-person classes, students should stay indoor as much as possible, and school activities be held in the morning or late in the afternoon, among others.
In Libon, also in Albay, Mayor Wilfredo Maronilla directed all schools in the town “to implement modular/online set-up” yesterday.
“The public is also advised to take necessary precautions on heat-related illnesses brought by the high heat index due to the summer season,” Maronilla said.
Maronilla also urged his constituents to stay hydrated, stay in well-ventilated areas or rooms, wear light or loose-fitted clothing, and schedule outdoor activities in the morning or late in the afternoon.
The DepEd issued an order last year allowing school heads to suspend classes due to extreme heat brought by the El Niño phenomenon.
The order said school heads may give “intervention activities” to make up for the lost day if classes are suspended.
Schools may also switch to alternative distance mode or blended learning if the environment is not conducive to learning.
Sen. Jinggoy Estrada said local chief executives and school heads can cite DepEd Order No. 44, series of 2022 as basis to suspend classes and prevent heat-related illnesses among students.
Estrada said the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) can also do suspend classes or adopt measures to ensure the well-being of students.
CASE-TO-CASE
Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa, in a chance interview at the Senate, said blended learning should be on a case-to-case basis depending on the environments of schools.
Herbosa noted that there are a number of schools which are well-ventilated, while others are located in shady areas which can provide a cool environment to learners.
“Ang adjustments will have to be individualized kasi ang climate iba-iba… Basta ang importante, ang advice naming sa Department of Health, hydrate. Very important to hydrate (Adjustments will have to be individualized because the climate varies [in different areas]. The important thing for us in the Department of Health is for people to stay hydrated. It is very important to hydrate),” he said.
He likewise said students should use sunblock to protect their skin, and said learners should not engage in any outdoor activities from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
In a radio interview, DOH spokesman Undersecretary Eric Tayag advised schools to assess how to improve the conditions inside classrooms.
“There should be proper ventilation, open windows, and make available fans… These will certainly help,” said Tayag, adding that children can be vulnerable to heat stroke, much like adults and the elderly.
“It is common among adults but kids are not spared from suffering heat stroke,” said Tayag.
In a statement, Herbosa said the threat of heat cramps and heat exhaustion is also higher due to extremely high temperatures.
“The DOH is actively monitoring cases of heat-related illnesses,” said Herbosa, even as he said that “to date, there has been no reported case of heat exhaustion in the country.”
The health chief said high temperatures can lead to heat cramps and heat exhaustion, which carries symptoms such as fatigue, dizziness, headache, vomiting, and light-headedness.
Prolonged heat exposure, meanwhile, increases the probability of heat stroke, which is a serious condition characterized by loss of consciousness, confusion, or seizures, which can be deadly if left untreated, said Herbosa.
CONSERVE WATER
Villarama urged everyone to do their share in conserving water, such as using a water dipper and pail when taking a bath instead of using the shower and in flushing the toilet.
He also said it is better to use the water dipper instead of the bidet when cleaning after using the toilet.
He added water dippers and pails will be better when watering plants instead of using a hose, and to avail of laundromat services instead of washing clothes daily.
Villarama said subdivisions and clubhouses have been advised to limit pool use and cleaning while condominium operators have been asked to reduce their water pressure during off peak hours, among others.
Villarama’s call was made at the heels of the declaration of a water crisis in Cebu City and the placement of 28 of its barangays under a state of calamity due to El Niño.
Meanwhile, Sen. Grace Poe yesterday served notice to water concessionaires to aim for “zero interruption” of water supply during the summer season as water shortage, together with the intense heat, could lead to the outbreak of diseases.
“The heat is on, water is on high demand, and without it, our health is at risk… Water providers must ensure an uninterrupted 24/7 supply,” said Poe, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Public Services.
“Kung walang tubig sa gripo dahil sa water interruption, ang iba sa atin walang magagamit na tubig kahit inumin (If there will be no water in our faucets due to water interruption, some of us will have no access even to drinking water),” Poe said, adding that waterless days would also mean households resorting to buying rationed water or getting it from available taps in the community.
“Drinking water from unsafe sources could lead to illnesses like gastrointestinal problems,” she added.
She said water concessionaires should coordinate closely with the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System, and the National Water Resources Board to help ensure that customers will have continuous water even during peak demand periods.
Poe has authored Senate Bill No. 102 which seeks to create the Department of Water Resources to put in place policies that will help address the country’s water problems by consolidating whole-of-society efforts for the comprehensive and integrated development and management of water resources in the country.
DSWD ASSISTANCE
As this developed, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said more than P5.475 million worth of food packs and other relief items have already been distributed to close to half a million persons in the country who are affected by the El Niño.
Data from the DSWD’s Disaster Response Operations Monitoring and Information Center (DROMIC) showed that 98,521 families or 492,781 persons from 536 barangays in Regions III (Central Luzon), IV-B (Mimaropa), VI (Western Visayas), IX (Zamboanga Peninsula), and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) have been affected by the El Niño.
DSWD said it still has more than P2.274 billion worth of funds, food and non-food relief items on standby and ready for distribution. — With Victor Reyes, Ashzel Hachero, Raymond Africa and Gerard Naval
