CALL FOR CONSERVATION. The management of Manila Water on Wednesday (Feb. 21, 2024) said water levels in Angat and La Mesa Dams remain safely above critical. Still, the water concessionaire echoed Task Force El Niño's appeal for water conservation. (Photo courtesy of Manila Water)
MANILA – Water levels in the two primary reservoirs supplying Metro Manila and surrounding areas remain safely above critical levels despite shortage concerns due to El Niño, according to the East Zone concessionaire.
The statement came as a reaction to a Malacañang official's appeal for water conservation amid the ongoing weather phenomenon that limits the amount of rainfall.
In an interview, Raymond Maymay, corporate communications manager at Manila Water (MW), said that as of Wednesday morning, the water level at Angat Dam in Norzagaray, Bulacan was recorded at 207.61 meters, giving it ample allowance over its 160-meter critical level.
Over at La Mesa Dam in Quezon City, the water level stood at 77.04 meters, also safely above its 69-meter critical level, he added.
For comparison, the spilling levels at Angat and La Mesa are placed at 217 meters and 80.15 meters, respectively.
“Based on our forecast, we expect to supply customers with water 24/7 for the duration of summer. Just the same, we are reminding consumers to use water responsibly. The best time to save water is when there is water,” Maymay said in Filipino.
He pointed out, however, that a modest decline has been observed in La Mesa Dam’s level in recent days owing to the sparsity of precipitation.
MW's concession area covers 1,400 square kilometers, encompassing 23 cities and municipalities in Metro Manila and Rizal province.
Meanwhile, Jefferson Chua, a campaigner at Greenpeace Philippines, appealed to the government to further strengthen the protection of the country’s water resources amid the new reality of climate change.
He said that the environmental watchdog is also seeking more clarity on how domestic policymakers intend to mitigate the impacts of El Niño on the water supply, food production, and power generation.
In a statement on Wednesday, Amsterdam-headquartered Greenpeace said there is a need to “shift the Philippine food and agriculture system to an environment-friendly and climate-resilient system that would ensure food and nutrition security and uplift the lives of Filipino farmers, especially as we continue to fend off the effects of El Niño and prepare for La Niña.”
The group also called for “improved investments in ecological agriculture to boost the resiliency of the nation’s farming such as well-funded programs that will enhance the capacity of farmers, empowering them to become self-sufficient and respond to crisis.” (PNA)
