Responsible use of water for disaster resiliency pushed

Angat Dam. INQUIRER FILE/GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE

MANILA, Philippines — A campaign seeking to inform the public on the current water situation and promote its responsible use was launched Friday.

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Danilo Lim said “Oplan Tubig Para sa Kinabukasan” aims to enable the public to be prepared in cases of water shortages especially during times of disaster.

MMDA serves as the lead agency of the campaign.

Lim noted how demand for potable water increases when calamities hit, adding that water supply is either lacking or completely cut off after a disaster.

“We all need water to live and we can all do something to ensure that we continuously enjoy this precious resource even in our own little ways,” Lim said.

“There is clearly a need for us to work together in this campaign especially with our current water situation. We need to reach as many Filipinos as we can and educate them on how we can help from the demand side,” he added.

The campaign was launched together with the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS), National Water Resources Board (NWRB), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), as well as water concessionaires Manila Water Company and Maynilad.

Water level in Angat Dam

Data from NWRB shows the water level in Angat Dam is still lower than the expected 212 meters elevation by the end of 2019.

NWRB Executive Director Dr. Sevillo David said more than 15 million people are relying on the dam, which serves as the primary source of water for Metro Manila residents.

“We have limited water supply and it will take years for us to have new water sources,” MWSS Administrator, Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Salamat said as he encouraged the public to use water responsibly.

Local government units (LGUs) are also urged to participate in the campaign and promote responsible water use to its constituents.

“We hope that with this campaign, individuals and communities will be inspired and encouraged to use water responsibly and to abide by the water-related initiatives set by their respective LGUs,” said DILG Secretary Eduardo Año.

Edited by KGA