Despite the growing reach of social media, people can feel distant and removed from many issues dominating the headlines these days.
For example, while many issues—Chinese incursion into the West Philippine Sea, or the political bickering among the senatorial candidates, their champions and their supporters, deplorable traffic or public transportation, or even the on-again, off-again attacks by the President on members of the Catholic clergy—are deemed important, they stand at various points along the urgency continuum. Solutions to these problems could take months or even years, requiring careful planning, constant dialogue, or even implementation.
Meanwhile, there are some issues that are both important and urgent. One day longer is one too much. They have the potential to anger or inflame the people they affect—sentiments that can translate into strong opinion in the poll surveys, or in the polls.
One such issue is the water shortage now being experienced in Metro Manila.
That there could be a shortage is not far-fetched. After all, summer has crept in, and we are told the El Niño phenomenon promises considerable damage not only to lifestyles but livelihoods.
What most Metro Manilans were surprised about, however, was the sudden—unannounced—drop in the water level at the La Mesa Dam. As of Monday morning, that level has dropped to 68.93 meters Monday morning, lower than the 69.02 meters the previous day, and the lowest it has gone in 12 years. Normal water level is 79.30 to 79.60 meters.
This led to unannounced water service interruptions across the metro, leaving residents desperate—and angry.
Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo says the government will swiftly act to address the problem, possibly through cloud seeding over the affected areas, and marvels at how nobody but him seems to have thought of this.
But more than the inducing rain, the government must take charge of the situation by providing information to residents on projected water levels, service interruption schedules, and regularly fielding water trucks to help restore a semblance of normalcy and predictability to affected communities.
It should hold the water service providers accountable for their failure to act in a timely manner to help residents deal with the shortage.
Water is not just any product or commodity. It is as intimately linked with daily life, perhaps more than any other utility. If water stops flowing from people's taps, it won't be long before patience drains, as well. “‹