MANILA, Philippines — The National Water Resources Board (NWRB) is increasing the water allocation to Maynilad Water Services Inc. and Manila Water Co. Inc. from 48 cubic meters per second to 50 cumecs for the next 15 days beginning today.
“This will allow the La Mesa Dam and Ipo Dam to recover at a more comfortable level and address some of the water supply issues of Metro Manila,” NWRB executive director Sevillo David Jr. said at a press conference yesterday.
The two water concessionaires had originally requested the NWRB, through the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS), to increase their water allocation from Angat Dam to 50 cumecs for two months.
Earlier, Maynilad warned that its west zone service area would experience prolonged water interruptions if the NWRB will not grant the request for an increase in water allocation.
At present, Maynilad customers experience about eight to 14 hours of water cutoff daily.
Since PAGASA sees El Niño taking effect in the last half of this year, the NWRB will have time to make an assessment of the current allocation to the two main water concessionaires for Metro Manila and its surrounding areas. David gave assurance that water supply is enough to last until December.
“With the level of the dam at 202.3 meters at 6 a.m. (on Friday), this level of the dam is considered as within the normal operating level as we will have sufficient supply particularly in the coming months, summer period,” he said.
Still, he appealed to the public to conserve water. “Let’s be responsible in our use. As we have said, try to recycle (water) and repair the leaks in the household. Residential areas will also play a big part in the water conservation efforts,” he said.
Meanwhile, the MWSS has directed Maynilad to limit supply interruptions to nighttime and immediately roll out measures to augment water supply in its service areas.
MWSS administrator Leonor Cleofas made the call to the water company during a high-level meeting with its officers last Thursday. — Danessa Rivera