Angat Dam. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — House Deputy Speaker Eric Martinez on Sunday urged residents of Metro Manila to conserve water as the water level in Angat Dam failed to reach the year-end target for 2021.
According to the website of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, Angat Dam’s water level was at 202.80 meters as of Jan. 1, missing by 10 meters its 212 meters year-end target.
On Sunday, the water level in Angat Dam slightly dipped to 202.78 meters.
The Angat Dam in Norzagaray, Bulacan, is Metro Manila’s main source of water.
“Residents within Metro Manila should be wary of their water consumption, most especially for the months leading to the dry season,” Martinez said.
“Let us practice the usual conservation measures we do at home such as opting for dippers as alternative to showers when taking baths, utilizing excess water for other activities, and overall being mindful about water’s scarcity,” Martinez added.
The House official called on the government to lay down plans for the looming threat of water shortage in Metro Manila and nearby provinces.
“All the necessary contingency measures must now be put in place by the NWRB (National Water Resources Board) to ensure a stable supply for Metro Manila’s residents, for the most part, we are still dealing with a deadly coronavirus and proper hygiene is of prime importance,” he said.
In March 2019, Metro Manila and nearby provinces experienced severe water shortage for weeks.
Makati City Rep. Luis Campos Jr. earlier proposed that Congress act fast in declaring Laguna Lake as a primary source of water supply in Metro Manila alongside Angat Dam in Bulacan to address the recurring water shortages in the region.
Campos pointed out that the past water crisis experienced in Metro Manila was due to the insufficient raw water coming from Angat Dam.
He said the government should not only rely on Angat Dam to supply 90 percent of Metro Manila’s water demand.