by Filane Mikee Cervantes/PNA
Two senators want Congress to look into the water shortage besetting parts of Metro Manila and Rizal province.
In a text message, Senate President Vicente Sotto III said he will direct the appropriate Senate committee to launch an inquiry into the water supply woes felt by residents in the affected areas.
“Dapat alamin ‘yan, we will have to find out ano imbestigahan natin ‘yan. Ano ba ang dahilan bakit nagkakaganun? Sabihin ko sa proper committee para mag-conduct agad ng inquiry (We should look into that, we will have to find out by investigating it. I will tell the proper committee to conduct an inquiry immediately),” Sotto said.
Manila Water, which covers the east zone of Metro Manila and Rizal province, has advised its customers to expect more water interruptions in the following days due to limited water supply as El Niño or the prolonged dry spell begins to set in the country.
Sen. Sonny Angara said Congress should look into the water shortage problem with the end view of coming up with long-term solutions to ensure adequate water supplies amid the country’s rapidly rising population and continued economic development.
Angara expressed concern over the ongoing water service interruptions across the concession area of Manila Water, causing inconvenience to many businesses and residents.
Angara noted that while Manila Water had been suffering water supply woes, its west zone counterpart Maynilad is not.
“It’s very concerning. We have to ask a certain number of questions because we get conflicting reports. Is it a problem of service delivery?” Angara said.
“One service provider is saying there is a problem, the other says none. That is something, I think, the regulators should investigate,” he added.
Angara also stressed the need for structural reforms in the water sector, citing that 30 agencies of the government are currently involved in water and sanitation policy — including the National Water Resources Board, the Local Water Utilities Administration and the Metropolitan Water and Sewerage System.
