MANILA, Philippines — With water rationing implemented in several areas, Maynilad Water Services Inc. has agreed to share its supply with Manila Water to address shortages in parts of Metro Manila and Rizal province.
The Pangilinan-led company said it would supply 50 million liters of water per day to Manila Water starting next month.
“MWSS (Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System) requested us if we can share water through cross-border flow to ease the problem,” Maynilad Water supply operations head Ronald Padua said yesterday.
Manila Water services over six million people in the east zone of Metro Manila. Maynilad is the west zone concessionaire.
Padua said the allotment of 50 million liters is a portion of the 100 million liters per day capacity of Maynilad’s newest treatment plant in Muntinlupa.
The volume is expected to benefit up to 50,000 households daily, especially in Quezon City, Parañaque and Taguig.
MWSS administrator Reynaldo Velasco said they sought Maynilad’s help to ease the water crisis.
Manila Water expressed hope that measures on the water sharing would be finalized within the week.
“We will have to look at technical solutions. We are looking for the optimal where we can have cross-border flow of water,” Manila Water chief operating officer Geodino Carpio said.
During the El Niño episodes in 2010 and 2015, Manila Water shared its supply with Maynilad.
Despite the water sharing, Manila Water still warned of below normal supply during the summer.
“La Mesa Dam will not be refilled until the rain comes. And it will take a few weeks to refill even if it starts raining,” Carpio said.
The water at the La Mesa Dam reached critical level of 68.85 meters yesterday.
Supply from La Mesa Dam is Manila Water’s reserves since it has maximized allocation from Angat Dam at 1,600 million liters per day.
Manila Water has deployed 27 tankers to its concession areas to provide water to consumers.
The company said its customers would have to endure three more months of unstable water supply as service interruptions would continue amid El Niño.
The state weather bureau said the dry spell would last until June.
Velasco said the MWSS was looking at other sources to meet the water needs of the affected residents.
He said they have asked the National Water Resources Board to activate deep wells, which can supply 100 million liters per day to Manila Water.
“Manila Water will also activate its treatment plant in Cardona, Rizal to deliver 50 million liters of water by the end of March,” Velasco said.
Senators call for action
Senators pressed yesterday concerned government agencies for swift action to address water shortage and the effects of El Niño.
Reelectionist Sen. Sonny Angara said the government should roll out an action plan in food-growing areas in the country before the drought unleashes its brunt on farmers, who are also grappling with low prices of rice and coconut.
He also pushed for a “proactive stance” on the part of the government beginning with the designation of an “anti-El Niño czar” who will orchestrate a multiagency response to the dry spell.
“A man-made disaster over a natural disaster is a double whammy that will leave less food on the table for families and less income for farmers,” Angara said.
Sen. Grace Poe sought the approval of a bill creating a single agency in charge of sustainable water management and sanitation amid threats of a prolonged dry spell.
Poe earlier filed Senate Bill 1217 or the proposed Water Regulatory Act seeking to rationalize and streamline functions of various state agencies in terms of water regulation in that the independent body is mandated to set the policy for water supply, sewerage and septage management, issue licenses and set, review or approve rates.
She also urged the Department of Agriculture and other government agencies to activate Task Force El Niño that would identify communities severely affected by drought and water shortages.
In Zamboanga, the agriculture department regional office reported that around P80 million worth of rice and corn was damaged due to drought.
Sen. Nancy Binay hit the conflicting statements of government agencies and private companies on the water shortage in Metro Manila.
“The MWSS and PAGASA (Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration) said there is sufficient supply of water in the Angat Dam. Manila Water claims water is lacking that’s why there’s shortage. Maynilad is willing to share water with Manila Water, what’s the real score?” Binay said.
Isabela Rep. Rodolfo Albano III urged authorities to regulate the use of water by carwash shops and golf courses in Metro Manila.
“We should control the distribution of water to carwash businesses and golf courses because washing your vehicle or playing golf is a luxury we could forgo. In fact, if the water supply problem worsens, the government could deny giving water to these establishments,” he said.
Albano said car owners who need to have their vehicles cleaned and people who have to play golf could do so in nearby provinces where there is ample water.
He said some carwash businesses even have illegal water connections.
Albano called on the government to give priority to households and critical establishments such as hospitals in the distribution of water.
He also asked Malacañang to direct state agencies to control their water use.
PNP appeals for calm
The Philippine National Police (PNP) yesterday appealed for calm from Metro Manila residents affected by the water shortage.
PNP spokesman Senior Supt. Bernard Banac urged the public to maintain order in dealing with the crisis.
While they understood the suffering of the people who have to wait for long hours to get water supply from their respective local government units, Banac said it should not result in violence.
He said police officers are ready to provide assistance and security in the distribution points of water.
Banac urged policemen to conserve water in their respective offices, including those located at Camp Crame in Quezon City. – With Rhodina Villanueva, Paolo Romero, Jess Diaz, Emmanuel Tupas, Cecille Suerte Felipe, Roel Pareño