No water shortage in Metro Manila this year - Nograles

There won’t be any water shortage in Metro Manila this year. According to Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles, Metro Manila residents can expect adequate supply of water this year as the government hastens the implementation of various infrastructure projects to address water requirements in the region.

The latest assurance came following President Duterte and the Cabinet’s discussion on the country’s infrastructure projects related to water security during a meeting in Malacañang Wednesday, March 3.

“Let me start by sharing some good news,” Nograles said during a televised press briefing Thursday, March 4.

“According to Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System Chairman and OIC Administrator Reynaldo Velasco, we expect to have a sufficient supply of water this year in Metro Manila. Wala ho tayong water shortage dito sa Maynila (We will not have a water shortage in Manila),” he said.

Nograles also assured Metro Manila residents that the MWSS continued to take measures “to ensure that we have an adequate supply of water this summer.” He said the agency has also moved to hasten the implementation of six major projects that aim to address the water requirements of NCR in the long run.

The projects include New Centennial Water Source – Kaliwa Dam Project; Long Term Water Source Development for Metro Manila Project (Upper Kaliwa and Kanan River); East Bay water Supply Project – Phase 1; East Bay Water Supply Project – Phase 2; Wawa-Calawis Water Supply Project – Phase 1; and, Wawa-Calawis Water Supply Project – Phase 2.

“All together, these projects will be able to supply a total of 1,368 million liters per day, or MLD,” Nograles said.

In March 2019, water interruptions hit Metro Manila and nearby areas prompting the President to intervene and direct water authorities to ensure sufficient supply of water.

At that time, Duterte also threatened to fire MWSS officials and revoke the contracts with water concessionaires Manila Water and Maynilad following the recent water shortage. The water concessionaires earlier blamed the water shortage to the decreasing water levels at nearby reservoirs due to the dry spell last year.

Meanwhile, Secretary Nograles said that the proposed new water service agreements with two Metro Manila water companies may soon be finalized.