NWRB chief’s replacement won’t affect El Niño preps – MWSS

MANILA, Philippines — The government’s preparations for El Niño will not be affected after National Water Resources Board (NWRB) executive director Sevillo David Jr. was replaced, Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System deputy administrator Jose Dorado Jr. said yesterday.

In an interview with The STAR, Dorado said that Environment Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga signed Special Order 2023-500 designating Director III Ricky Arzagon as officer-in-charge executive director of NWRB on Aug. 11.

“It will not affect as the preparations for the El Niño were already set,” Dorado.

Dorado said customers will continue to enjoy uninterrupted water supply despite the 48 cubic meters per second (CMS) water allocation given to Maynilad Water Services Inc. and Manila Water.

“Actually, we even decreased the water flow from Angat Dam as the water supply from Ipo is still high, at more than 100 meters. We requested (the NWRB) to bring down the water flow to avoid the spilling level of Ipo Dam. We are using the water from Ipo Dam to provide water to La Mesa Dam,” Dorado told The STAR.

As of 6 a.m. yesterday, the water level of Ipo increased by 0.22 meters after it reached 100.28 meters compared to its previous level of 100.06 meters.

“Even if the water allocation (for Maynilad and Manila Water) is only 48 CMS, we have sufficient water,” Dorado added.

The water level of Angat Dam slightly dropped by 0.04 meters after it reached 198.08 meters compared to its previous level of 198.12 meters.

It is still 18.08 meters higher than its minimum operating level of 180 meters.

Meanwhile, the Senate yesterday tackled proposed measures that mandated the creation of rainwater harvesting facilities in the country amid a looming water shortage crisis due to climate change and the El Niño phenomenon.

“The growing incidence of extreme and prolonged drought demands that we find innovative opportunities that will be our tool in this era where climate change lies at the very heart of what the future holds for all of us. And rainwater harvesting is one such innovative opportunity that we can utilize to our advantage,” Senate public works committee chair Ramon Revilla Jr. said.

During the hearing, senators learned from representatives of the Department of Public Works and Highways of the existing Rainwater Collection System project, which targets public schools as rainwater harvesting locations.