Villanueva seeks probe to know gov’t actions vs looming water shortage

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Joel Villanueva has filed a resolution seeking an inquiry into the government’s actions in addressing the anticipated water shortage in the coming summer months.

In a statement on Tuesday, Villanueva said he filed Senate Resolution No. 329 on Feb. 18 that sought updates on “the accomplished, ongoing, and pipelined projects of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) including the Bulacan Bulk Water Supply Project, the Kaliwa Dam, and the Ipo Dam 3 Project, among other issues.”

The resolution also pointed out the need to “closely monitor” the national water programs, activities, and projects being implemented and undertaken by the government.

The senator cited the water crisis that residents of Metro Manila experienced in 2019, which, he said, “caught most of our people by surprise.”

“It’s almost a year since the shortage happened so we’re expecting that the MWSS and its two concessionaires are better prepared this time,” Villanueva, chair of the Senate committee on labor, employment and human resources development, said.

The two concessionaires he was referring to are the Manila Water that services the East Zone of Metro Manila, and Maynilad that provides water to the West Zone and the Greater Manila Area.

“Our experience last year shows that Metro Manila has an inadequate water supply. Our regulator and concessionaires should be able to respond to this upcoming problem,” he said.

As of 6 a.m. Tuesday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration recorded that the water level in Angat Dam, the source of water for Metro Manila households, is at 202.23 meters, still above the critical level of 180 meters.

“This is especially more so considering that Angat Dam has not reached its ideal level of 212 meters,” Villanueva said.

Edited by JPV