MWSS retains water allocation for Metro Manila

THE METROPOLITAN Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) said on Tuesday that it is able to retain its water allocation of 50 cubic meters per second (cms) for Metro Manila from the National Water Resources Board (NWRB).

“Based on the information we received, [the water allocation] was not reduced. We are able to maintain 50 cms allocation for the month of April,” Patrick James Dizon, head of the MWSS Angat/Ipo operations management division, said in a televised briefing. “For now, we are thinking of implementing pressure management measures to manage the water we receive from the Angat Dam,” he added.

This is to reduce the losses in the system and the consumption of the customers. He noted, however, that the water concessionaires would implement pressure reduction during offpeak demand hours.

Angat Dam is the main source of water for Metro Manila, accounting for about 90% of the capital’s potable water.

In view of the recurrent El Niño climate pattern being experienced in the country, managing water in Angat Dam has become crucial for mitigating its impacts on agriculture and ensuring sufficient potable water supply for Metro Manila.

EL NIÑO DAMAGE HITS P1.75B

Agricultural damage spawned by severe droughts due to El Niño has already reached P1.75 billion, the Department of Agriculture

(DA) reported on Tuesday.

The DA’s damage report stated rice as being the most affected crop at 64.40% with an amount running up to P1.13 billion. Damage to corn was valued at P317.86 million, while high-value crops absorbed a loss of P305.55 million. Livestock damage hit P59,600.

Estimated output losses from the 32,231 hectares that were impacted by the dry spell include 7,794 metric tons (MT) for high-value crops, 18,966 MT for corn, and 48,332 MT for