DIPPING The watershed around Angat dam in Bulacan is seen in this file photo taken in November 2021. (CARMELA REYES-ESTROPE)
MANILA, Philippines — The water level of Angat dam in Bulacan reached its minimum operating level of 180 meters on Monday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) reported.
The state weather bureau attributed the increase to the continuous rains from the southwest monsoon or ‘habagat.’
Based on its 6 a.m. bulletin, the dam’s water level slightly increased from 179.06 meters on July 16 to 180 meters on July 17.
Angat supplies 97 percent of Metro Manila’s water needs.
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Meanwhile, the water level in seven other dams rose in the last 24 hours.
These dams are the following:
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- Ipo in Bulacan (from 100.02 to 100.82 meters)
- La Mesa in Quezon City (from 78.99 to 79.28 meters)
- Ambuklao in Benguet (from 741.82 to 742.33 meters)
- San Roque from Benguet to Pangasinan (from 237.76 to 237.92 meters)
- Pantabangan in Nueva Ecija (from 1179.77 to 180.53 meters)
- Magat in Cagayan (from 164.08 to 164.76 meters)
- Caliraya in Laguna (from 286.22 to 287.43 meters)
Meanwhile, only Binga dam in Benguet observed a slight decrease in water level from 568.58 to 567.19 meters.
Last June 15, Pagasa said, despite the rains brought by habagat, the water level in Angat dam might still fall.
As a reaction, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Water Resources Management Office (DENR-WRMO) issued water conservation guidelines for government agencies.
It followed Malacañang’s Memorandum Circular (MC) number 22, which required WRMO to track the performance of government agencies in water conservation.
This was to be done by analyzing their monthly water bills.
Moreover, the agency expanded its guidelines last July 9.
It directed residents in Metro Manila and nearby provinces to conserve water.
DENR’s move stemmed from the state weather bureau’s announcement on July 4 about the onset of El Niño.
It projected that Metro Manila and 35 other areas might experience a dry spell in December this year.
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