Duterte to meet with MWSS execs in Palace over water shortage 

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo. INQUIRER file photo

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte would be holding a meeting with officials of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) in Malacañang on Tuesday night following the water shortage that hit some parts of Metro Manila.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said Duterte would meet with the officials following the President’s directive to MWSS to tell Manila Water and Maynilad to release water from Angat Dam good for 150 days.

READ: Duterte demands release of water from Angat Dam

“Maybe the MWSS will explain. Maybe they will report what happened with the President’s directive,” Panelo told reporters in Filipino.

In his statement on Friday, Panelo said Duterte would “make the responsible officers account for such failure,” if they fail to comply with his order.

Customers of the Manila Water in parts of Metro Manila’s east zone had 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 interruptions.

In his briefing on Monday, Panelo said there was never a water crisis, but it was mismanagement that caused the water shortage. /jpv

READ: Palace blames ‘mismanagement’ for water shortage