Metro Manila assured of sufficient water supply during lockdown period

ASSURING adequate supply from Angat Dam, the National Water Resources Board (NWRB) said it has no plan to reduce water allocation for the National Capital Region (NCR) and several towns in Rizal and Cavite provinces.

Sevillo David, executive director of the NWRB, told the Businessmirror that there is an adequate water supply from Angat Dam, assuring that water level at the reservoir even went up slightly over 193 meters above sea level (ASL) on Tuesday.

He attributed this to local thunderstorms experienced in the Angat watershed area the past few days.

The onset of the rainy season in June, or July, is expected to replenish the Angat-ipo-la Mesa River System with fresh water supply.

“At this level, given Pagasa’s [Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration] weather forecast that we will experience normal, or neutral weather condition, we are confident that there will be adequate water to last until the end of the dry season,” David said.

He underscored the need for clean water as Covid-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus that originated from Wuhan, China, continues to grip the country, particularly Luzon, which is now on an extended enhanced community quarantine.

“Water is very important for health and sanitation, especially now, that’s why we are maintaining the maximum capacity of 4,000 MLD,” David said.

To recall, a day before President Duterte’s quarantine order, the NWRB increased water allocation from the previous 3,600 MLD to the maximum capacity of 4,000 MLD to assure tap water supply to every water consumers serviced by the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System through its agents and contractors, Manila Water Co. Inc. and Maynilad Water Services Inc.