By Janine Dumaguin
The National Water Resources Board (NWRB) on Friday, March 31, said it is considering the request from the Manila Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) to increase water allocation by two cubic meters per second (cms).
In a Laging Handa public briefing, Executive Director Sevillo David said they are currently evaluating the request, taking into consideration the effect of the El Niño.
“Ito nga pong request ng MWSS para sa karagdagang allocation ay sa ngayon ay ini-evaluate ng NWRB. At isa po sa kinokonsidera natin ay ‘yung kasalukyang sitwasyon–‘yung mga pangangailangan ng kababayan natin at itong mga sa susunod na buwan,” David said.
“Tayo naman sa board ay magiging bukas sa pagkonsidera nitong kasalukuyang request para sa kapakanan ng ating kababayan,” David continued.
According to David, the MWSS requested an increase to 52 cms in April from the previous 48 cms in order to meet the demand in water supply this dry season.
“Kaya lang ang isa nating binabantayan sa ngayon ay itong nagbabadyang epekto ng El Niño na posibleng mag-take effect nitong kalahating parte ng taon na ito–na kailangan din nating paghandaan dahil nga ang epekto nito ay ang kabawasan sa pag-ulan, na posibleng makaapekto sa suplay ng tubig natin sa mga susunod na buwan bago matapos ang taon,” David said.
Maynilad first said that the decrease in water allocation could lead to longer water outages.
The NWRB, along with other government agencies, assured the public that they are ready to employ mitigating measures amid the possibility of an El Niño.
Meanwhile, the NWRB appealed to the public to practice sustainable use of water. – KC/with reports from Naomi Tiburcio-cf,ag
