Palace blames ‘mismanagement’ for water shortage

MANILA, Philippines — There never really was a water crisis, but it was mismanagement that caused the shortage in some parts of Metro Manila, Malacañang said Monday.

Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the Manila Water and Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) was able to restore supply to 90 of its customers in Metro Manila after President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the release of water from Angat Dam.

READ: Duterte demands release of water from Angat Dam

“It’s pure inefficiency, mismanagement on the part of Manila Water,” Panelo said in a Palace briefing.

“It means there was really no [water] crisis. There was only mismanagement,” he said in an interview over GMA’s “Unang Hirit.”

Customers of Manila Water have experienced water shortage for more than a week, prompting Congress to hold an investigation.

Ferdinand de la Cruz, chief executive officer (CEO) of the Manila Water Company, apologized during the House inquiry on Monday over the water shortage.

READ: Manila Water CEO says ‘sorry’ for water woes

Panelo said there was no need to create a Department of Water, which the MWSS had proposed.

“We don’t need that. I don’t think we need that,” he said. “They created their own problem, and they provided the solution. It’s purely inefficiency, mismanagement.” /atm