By Filane Mikee Cervantes/PNA
MANILA — Manila Water Company, Inc. on Tuesday said it is targeting to reach 99 percent water availability in its service coverage area with ground-floor level standard by the end of March.
During a Senate hearing on the water shortage affecting parts of Metro Manila, Manila Water president and chief executive officer (CEO) Ferdinand dela Cruz said their consumers are currently enjoying about 90 percent water availability at the ground floor level from a low water availability of 70 percent since the supply shortage occurred.
“Our target is by the end of this month is to reach 99 percent of our coverage area using this ground floor level standard so that we could spread our limited supply,” dela Cruz said.
Dela Cruz explained that the 9 percent supply deficit, or about 150 million liters per day since March 6, was due to the La Mesa Dam breaching the critical level of 69 meters.
Dela Cruz said the company is implementing some solutions to plug the supply deficit, such as the reactivation of the Cardona, Rizal water treatment plant project, decommission of deep wells, development of new deep well sources, the Maynilad-Manila Water supply sharing, and updating its existing water supply master plan.
Dela Cruz said he expects to totally eliminate the supply deficit and normalize water services by June.
“With these efforts, our 9 percent supply deficit will go down to 4.5 percent in April and further go down to 1.5 percent supply deficit in May before getting totally eliminated in June,” dela Cruz said.
He apologized to the consumers for the inconvenience and took full responsibility for the water shortage, noting that he is prepared to resign from his post.
“I am seeking their forgiveness, from your constituents, and I’m holding myself fully accountable for the sudden drop in our 24/7 service level to your constituents whom we have consistently served well over the past 21 years with 24/7 water availability and sufficient water pressure,” he said.
“If my resignation today will not only erase our supply deficit but would also result into a united front to urgently build new water resources then I would be extremely happy to resign at this moment,” he added.
