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MANILA, Philippines — The government is encouraging the public to conserve water as the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) warns of a possible “major problem” if the El Niño phenomenon intensifies next year.
“If the El Niño event next year progresses, intensifies, or even extends further than June, then it will be a major problem for Metro Manila that’s why conservation is important,” Environment Undersecretary Carlos Primo David told reporters on Monday.
According to the DENR official, Angat Dam, which serves 90 percent of all the requirements of Metro Manila for potable water, has ample supply and was “fairly full.”
“We’re trying to preserve it that way so that once we enter 2024, it’s at its maximum volume,” David said.
However, based on their calculations, he said the amount of water from Angat and other sources would only be able to supply the needs “until around May or June” next year.
2019 crisis recalled
Asked to elaborate on the “major problem” that Metro Manila might face in terms of water supply, David recalled the water crisis in 2019.
“I distinctly remember fetching water in 2019. We want to prevent that,” he said, adding that “We’re already in the 21st century. We should be better in terms of forecasting.”
The El Niño phenomenon in 2019 caused the water level in Angat Dam to drop to record lows, which resulted in water shortages in Metro Manila and nearby provinces.
“The stored water in La Mesa reservoir was rapidly being depleted and in the first week of March 2019, the water level reached an all-time low, below the bottom gate of the intakes,” a 2019 report from Manila Water read.
Around 61 percent of the country also suffered drought after three consecutive months of more than 60 percent less rainfall.
Environment Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga also mentioned how water concessionaires like Maynilad and Manila Water were “stepping up” in providing water supply to consumers.
Maynilad, in particular, recently inaugurated the Poblacion Water Treatment Plant in Muntinlupa City.
“Once it’s operational, we’re looking at about a million people that will be able to access treated water from the treatment facilities. What’s important is not just the supply but the treatment of the [water] supply [and its] distribution,” she said. INQ