Duterte seeks help from Singapore, Israel on Metro Manila water woes

WAIT YOUR TURN Fights among people waiting in line, a Mandaluyong resident says, are common. They argue over who is first in line and how many containers one can fill up. —Joan Bondoc

MANILA, Philippines – President Rodrigo Duterte has sought advice from Singapore and Israel on sound water management after water shortage hit parts of Metro Manila and nearby areas.

Singapore and Israel are two countries lacking water resources but managed to have a good water management system.

“We are happy to see you here and I hope your stay will be productive. We need a lot of advice from Singapore and I’m sure those advises (sic) will help a long way to help us solve the problem especially water. I know Israel and Singapore has the best operating machines about desalination,” Duterte said during the presentations of credentials of Singapore Ambassador to the Philippines Gerard Ho Wei Hong in Malacañang on Tuesday.

Some parts of Metro Manila and nearby areas have experienced water shortage for more than a week, prompting the Senate and the House of Representatives to hold separate investigations on the matter.

Malacañang has said there was no water supply shortage in the metro and instead blamed “mismanagement” for it.

READ: Duterte to meet with MWSS execs in Palace over water shortage

Duterte has ordered the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) to tell Manila Water Co. and Maynilad to release water from Angat Dam that will be good for 150 days to address the water shortage. /kga