House panels OK creation of TWG to tackle, resolve water shortage in MM

CRISIS PERIOD Residents of Pasig City draw water from a fire truck at the height of March’s water shortage. INQUIRER file photo / JAM STA. ROSA

MANILA, Philippines — A joint House panel approved on Tuesday the creation of a technical working group (TWG) that would study strategies including the creation of a water security masterplan to avert the repeat of water shortage in Metro Manila earlier in March.

The House committees on government enterprises and privatization and public works and highways approved Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s House Resolution Nos. 2547 and 2548.

Marikina 1st District Rep. Bayani Fernando, chair of the public works committee and member of the other panel, said the creation of the TWG was aimed at digging deeper into the issue of water shortage and addressing it through a long-term solution. Although the 17th Congress will adjourn sine die on June 8, he said they would continue their efforts in the next Congress.

“Naririyan na ‘yan at ‘yan ay isa ng resolusyon, kaya matutuloy ‘yan para magkaroon ng huwisyo, para maging organisado ang kilos ng lahat at magkatulung-tulong ang karanasan at kaalaman ng lahat ng ahensya ng gobyerno na may kinalaman sa tubig…” Fernando said in an interview after the hearing.

READ: Manila Water, MWSS: Water shortage is real

“Mga 20 taon na alam na natin lahat ng problemang ‘yan na darating, ang problema lang bakti hindi natin na-solusyunan sa oras?” he added.

Jeric Sevilla, head of the communications group of the Manila Water, assured that they continue their efforts to arrest the effects of their supply deficit. He also said they support the creation of the TWG.

“We’re very supportive dun sa formation ng TWG para mas maayos natin ‘yung mga contingency plan natin,” Sevilla said.

Sevilla said above 99 percent of Manila Water consumers already have water supply for eight hours at the ground floor level or the standard 7 psi (pounds per square inch) Meanwhile, around 90 percent of consumers have 24-hour water service, he added.

Ferdinand Dela Cruz, Manila Water president and chief executive officer, also added that their average hours of service is now at 23 hours.

Sevilla said they are solving the 150 million liters of water per day (MLD) supply deficit by tapping 50-57 MLD of water from the Cardona water treatment plant, 35-36 MLD from deep wells, and another 19 MLD from Manila Water’s cross-border arrangement with Maynilad.

“So all in all, even with these contingency plans, meron pa rin tayong supply deficit which we are still working on pero ang mahalaga lahat ng customers natin ngayon sa Manila Water for at least 8 hours meron na silang tubig,” he explained, adding that they hope to finally resolve the deficit in the coming months. (Editor: Jonathan P. Vicente)