DPWH to revive water conservation program

MANILA, Philippines - With a water shortage looming this summer as a result of the El Niño phenomenon, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said yesterday it will revive its water conservation program.

In a statement, DPWH Secretary Victor Domingo said its task groups for rainwater conservation – headed by Undersecretary Rafael Yabut – will check the installation of rainwater impounding tanks in all the agency’s regional and district engineering offices.

“In the National Capital Region, our district engineering offices have already installed the water tanks to collect rainwater, which will be used in concrete cement mixing, equipment cleaning, roadside maintenance works and to water roadside ornamental plants,” Yabut said.

Domingo, who is also the chairman of the Manila Waterworks and Sewerage System, said they are forming a technical team that will check existing dams and plug leaks before summer starts.

Meanwhile, Local Water Utilities Administration chairman Prospero Pichay suggested the revival of the Wawa Dam in Rizal to supplement the supply from the Angat Dam, where the water level is very low.

President Arroyo has ordered concerned government agencies to address the possible water shortage. – Evelyn Macairan, Marvin Sy