By Lilybeth Ison/Philippine News Agency
MANILA — The National Water Resources Board (NWRB) on Wednesday maintained the 36 cubic meters per second (cms) daily water allocation for the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) despite the improving situation at the Angat Dam reservoir.
As of 6 a.m. Wednesday, Angat Dam’s water level was at 161.08 meters, slightly higher than the critical level of 160 meters.
“Based on PAGASA’s projection that there will be no rains in the coming days, we decided to maintain the 36-cubic-meter water allocation for MWSS to further improve the (water) level of Angat Dam,” NWRB Executive Director Sevillo David Jr. said in a press conference at the MWSS central office in Quezon City.
PAGASA is the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration.
“Dahil nakatulong ang mga pag-ulan nitong mga nakaraang araw sa pagtaas ng level sa Angat Dam, wala tayong nakikitang pagbaba sa water levels sa Angat until next week, until such time na dumating or bumalik muli ang ‘habagat’ or southwest monsoon (Since the rains these past few days contributed to the rise in Angat Dam’s water levels, we do not see any decrease in these levels until next week, until such time the southwest monsoon returns)” he added.
David said the board will resume the 46-cubic-meter water allocation to the MWSS once the situation in Angat Dam shows significant and continuing improvement.
“We’ll see until the end of July if there’s improvement in the level of Angat Dam. That’s when we determine if we can increase the water allocation to MWSS,” he said.
Meanwhile, MWSS Chairman Reynaldo Velasco commended Manila Water and Maynilad for following the scheduled rationing to their consumers.
“They are very good. Manila Water reported 99.98 percent accomplishment in the scheduled water distribution to its consumers,” Velasco said.
He said the recent heavy rains contributed to the increase of water supply being distributed by the two concessionaires, aside from the allocation they get from MWSS.
Velasco also thanked consumers for heeding appeals to conserve water.
“Let us give credit to our consumers as they now understand the situation and they themselves practice water conservation. We thank our consumers in Metro Manila for heeding our appeal to conserve water,” he said.
On the issue that some building owners, such as in condominiums, not heeding their appeal to conserve water, Velasco said they are coordinating with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority “as we have no police power to stop them.”
“But they should understand what their priority (is). This situation is only temporary. Hopefully, (based on) the projection of PAGASA, by end of July, the water situation will improve,” he said.
Velasco however noted that for the dams to be fully utilized, Angat Dam’s water level should reach 212 meters to 215 meters.
“Hopefully, by end of December,” he said. “If we could not attain that, we will still have water problem.”
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