MWSS: Declare Laguna Lake vital water source

THE METROPOLITAN Waterworks and Sewerage System ( MWSS) wants to declare Laguna Lake as a “vital source of water” to help ease the water shortage in Metro Manila and nearby provinces, Malacañang said on Thursday.

Palace spokesman Salvador Panelo said MWSS chief Emmanuel Salamat made a number of proposals during the Cabinet meeting on Wednesday.

“In view of the looming water shortage, Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System Administrator Emmanuel Salamat requested the issuance of department orders from the Department of the Interior and Local Government to local chief executives to expedite necessary permits to meet timelines of the projects of the MWSS,” Panelo said in a statement.

“[ Salamat] suggested the need to secure assistance from other agencies to create a comprehensive water security plan; proposed that there be created an inter- agency task force on water supply and sewerage; and sought that the Laguna Lake be declared as a vital source of water which needs protection and security,” he added.

Last week, Duterte

warned that he would exercise his “extraordinary powers” to address the water shortage in Metro Manila, even if it meant taking over the water concessionaires.

“I cannot just allow people to go about without water even for drinking,” the President said.

Duterte also reiterated his warning to water concessionaires to shape up or ship out.

“I will go there and operate it myself. I will take over and I will direct what to do. Hindi niyo kaya? Sige ako. Umalis kayo

diyan ( You can’t do it? Get out. I will take over),” he said.

Maynilad Water Service Inc. and Manila Water Co. Inc. started implementing rotational water interruptions last month because the water level in Angat Dam continued to drop.

In March this year, Duterte castigated officials of the MWSS and water concessionaires Manila Water and Maynilad over the water shortage that gripped parts of Metro Manila and Rizal province.

The President had claimed that the officials knew about the looming water shortage but did not act to prevent it from happening.

CATHERINE S. VALENTE