The National Water Resources Board (NWRB) approved the request of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) to retain a higher water allocation of 52 cubic meters per second (cms) from June 16 to June 30.
NWRB chief Sevillo David confirmed the NWRB decision, although the board was reportedly expected to lower the allocation — drawn from Angat Dam — to 50 cms for Maynilad Water Services, Inc. and Manila Water Corporation beginning Friday to conserve water amid a looming El Niño.
House Ways and Means chair and Albay Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda meanwhile expressed his gratitude to Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Felipe Medalla for officially clarifying that “financing of water and sanitation projects in rural communities” qualifies as a project financeable with Agri-Agra Rural Credit funds under the country’s banking system.
The MWSS said cutting the water allocation from Angat Dam in Bulacan could lead to service interruptions for tens of thousands of people in
Metro Manila.
In a letter responding to Salceda’s request for clarification about the eligibility of water districts for Agri-Agra loans, Medalla responded that “the BSP will include this clarification in the set of frequently asked questions on the implementation of RA 11901.”
In early May, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration raised the El Niño alert, saying it expects
the weather phenomenon in the coming months.
Earlier this year, President Marcos made pronouncements that there exists a “water crisis” in the country. Salceda attributes much of
this “to the unmitigated and lazy use of groundwater resources which we will eventually deplete.”
In a related development, Rep. Fidel Nograles of Rizal has backed the President’sorder to construct water-impounding facilities near Metro
Manila in a bid to control flooding and ensure water supply in Luzon.
Such facilities, however, should only be supplementary, and the government’s greater objective should be restoring the country’s
forest cover, Nograles said.
“The idea on water-impounding facilities is good. These could boost our flood mitigation efforts and provide additional water for
irrigation and other needs, especially amid El Niño.”
The President’s order came after a briefing by the Water Resources Management Office (WRMO) and other government agencies on the
government’s comprehensive water management plan.
Besides being briefed on flood control projects, Marcos was also apprised of the P5.86-billion rainwater collection system program under Republic Act No. 6716 and the installation of 6,002 rainwater collection systems nationwide.
Nograles said he supports the National Greening Program, saying that reforestation is a key measure against El Niño and long-term climate
change. “Our forests shield us from natural disasters, particularly from the stronger typhoons that have resulted from climate change.
They also counter drought and make our air cleaner,” said the lawmaker.