"Water is indispensable in maintaining cleanliness."
"Water is indispensable in maintaining cleanliness."
Dry season is coming. Amidst the threat of the COVID-19 in the country, another crisis looms. For the past years, Metro Manila has endured months-long water shortages during summer. If we recall, this led to a series of investigations attended by agencies and public utilities in charge of water distribution. This 2020, will we suffer the same fate?
The Kaliwa Dam project has been consistently pushed to the forefront of addressing the Metro Manila water shortage. This project costs P12.2 billion as per the MWSS, funded by foreign loans from the Official Development Assistance, and is seen to be completed by 2023. While this project poses laudable goals, local government units have been advocating better options.
In the past, I have talked about the Sumag River Diversion Project which would supply an additional 188 million liters of water per day. As opposed to the cost of the Kaliwa project, the Sumag project is significantly cost-effective at P774 million. This means that more funds may be allocated to other projects that will ensure the protection of the environment and the welfare of our indigenous peoples who might be affected by the said project. Sadly, this has been suspended for almost four years now.
We have also proposed the tapping of the Agos and Umiray rivers through the rehabilitation of the Agos-Umiray Transbasin Tunnel. This tunnel will likewise channel additional water supply to the households.
These two projects have better proximity to the Angat Dam. More importantly, these are more comprehensive and holistic as they take into consideration the protection of the environment and support to the welfare of our indigenous peoples, especially in case relocation is inevitable. Instead of pursuing foreign-funded projects, we should take a look at these local proposals for these are in itself found by the community as more sustainable and will prevent us from incurring further debts. They will consequently preserve our fiscal condition.
We should act immediately on these local proposals. Summer season is fast approaching. Some parts of the Metro have begun experiencing rotational water interruptions at various times of the day. The threat of COVID-19 also increases the demand for water as hygienic practices such as frequent handwashing and drinking of water are strongly encouraged. Not only that, water is almost always indispensable in maintaining cleanliness. Hence, available and accessible water must be ensured, especially in times like these. I, therefore, resound the sentiments of our local governments and seek the support of the national government in choosing to pursue these local proposals.