SCARCE RESOURCE. A resident of a resettlement area in Barangay Silangan, San Mateo, Rizal is seen in this file photo squeezing out what little water is still left in this once powerful stream. The community is asking for municipal authorities to provide them with a steady source of running water through an arrangement with a water concessionaire. (PNA photo by Joan Bondoc)
ANTIPOLO CITY – The Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO) of San Mateo town in the province of Rizal has assured that a resettlement area in Barangay Silangan has access to clean water through several artesian wells despite the declining amount of water left flowing from a crucial water source.
In an interview on Tuesday, Elaine de Jesus, officer-in-charge at San Mateo’s MENRO, said they are working to provide the residents a steady water supply, but they would have to investigate first the reason for the drying up of the stream so that the necessary steps to revive it could be done.
The stream flowing through the community along the Old Army Road has almost dried up, alarming its about 100 residents who have traditionally drawn water from it.
De Jesus said that aside from the artesian wells, some parts of this community may also have access to Manila Water’s services.
She assured her office will conduct a scientific study to determine if there are any other causes for the decline in water aside from the ongoing El Niño dry spell.
De Jesus said another possible explanation behind the stream's dwindling water is there may have been a build-up of silt and rubbish in certain areas that may be impeding its flow.
“We will first have to evaluate (why the stream dried up). Oftentimes, there are options for reviving a dead stream. Sometimes, dredging the areas where water is blocked will restore the flow. But such efforts are usually undertaken in collaboration with the DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources),” she told the Philippine News Agency in Filipino.
It was earlier reported that residents of the resettlement area have been urging the San Mateo municipal government to provide them a reliable source of flowing water through arrangements with Manila Water. (PNA)
