MANILA, Philippines – Manila Water Company, Inc. and Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) on Monday denied claims that they were faking the water shortage to fast-track the construction of the China-funded Kaliwa Dam.
“Wala pong conspiracy (There’s no conspiracy). Our supply deficit is real,” Manila Water Inc. president Ferdinand Dela Cruz said during a hearing of the House of Representatives’ Committee on Metro Manila Development.
MWSS administrator Reynaldo Velasco also denied that the water shortage is artificial.
“Hindi totoo (It’s not true), it’s not correct. The Kaliwa is our water security program,” he said.
Dela Cruz earlier said the water supply deficit since March 6 was due to the low water level at the La Mesa Dam.
The Manila Water official also said 80 percent of their service coverage had already been supplied with ground-floor water since March 15, and they hope to make it 99 percent by month’s end.
From March to May, he said they would gradually increase the water pressure so it could reach the upper floors of households and buildings.
Kaliwa Dam
Velasco meanwhile said they hope to start the construction of Kaliwa Dam by July or August.
READ: MWSS: China-funded Kaliwa Dam’s construction may start July or August
Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Carlos Zarate earlier said Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III was using the water interruptions to justify another “disastrous” China-funded project that would “displace thousands of indigenous peoples (IPs) from their ancestral lands” and “sink the country into more onerous debts.”
READ: Bayan Muna eyes suit vs Manila Water while opposing dam project
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo also said the water shortage in Metro Manila could be artificial. / gsg
READ: Palace: Water shortage in NCR may be artificial