By EJ Roque/PNA
MANILA — The Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) has assured President Rodrigo R. Duterte that it will utilize all available resources to immediately resolve the water shortage in Metro Manila and other nearby areas, Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar said Friday.
“According to MWSS Administrator Reynaldo Velasco, they are already addressing the matter. They have identified three water sources to augment the water supply: 50 million liters per day (mld) from the Maynilad Cross-Border Plant, 50 mld from the Manila Water Cardona Treatment Plant, and 100 mld from the old wells of Manila Water to be reactivated today (Friday),” Andanar said in a statement.
Andanar cited the importance of resolving the water shortage immediately, stressing that the President will not tolerate a situation wherein Filipinos are not afforded what is due them.
“Water, being an essential commodity, is indispensable in the daily lives of every Filipino. It is the responsibility of our long-privatized water utilities to ensure sufficient supply and distribution of water to the public. Hence, the government is ordering these private water concessionaires to ensure the efficient delivery of water,” he said.
“We are one with the President on this alarming water shortage in Metro Manila and its nearby areas,” he added.
Duterte ordered the MWSS to demand from its concessionaires the release of water from the Angat Dam effective noon on Friday.
“The volume of water to be released should be sufficient to supply the affected areas for approximately 150 days in order to alleviate the drastic effects of this problem,” Andanar said.
