MANILA - President Rodrigo R. Duterte on Friday ordered the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) to demand from its concessionaires the release of water from the Angat Dam by noon of the same day.
"The President is directing the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) to demand from the Manila Water Company, Inc., Maynilad Water Services, Inc. and other responsible offices to release water from Angat Dam by noon time today, March 15, good for 150 days, in order to supply the affected areas in Metro Manila and deliver, as well as distribute sufficient water to the residents thereof," Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a statement.
Panelo said the President will make those responsible accountable if they fail to follow his directive.
"Failure to act or comply with this directive, the President will personally go to them and make the responsible officers account for such failure," he said.
"The President is aware and concerned of the sufferance of the residents of Metro Manila due to the present water crisis," he added.
Quezon City, Pasig City and Mandaluyong City are the most affected areas by the water crisis.
The Angat Dam is currently at normal water level.
Manila Water, which services the Eastern part of the National Capital Region (NCR), has low supply of water while Maynilad, the other concessionaire which covers the western part of NCR, is operating at normal level.
Manila Water said the reason for the low water supply is the non-anticipated high demand of water this summer season. Even if the water level at the Angat Dam is at normal level, the existing small water transport facility limits the company from increasing the water supply to households.
Manila Water said the current water supply it can receive from Angat Dam is 1,400 million liters per day (MLD) while the demand is now at 1,650 MLD.
Maynilad is not having the same problem despite the increase in water demand since it already improved its water transport and treatment facilities since 2010.
The National Water Resource Board and the MWSS are working with Manila Water in finding other sources of water. (PNA)
