Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — The National Water Resources Board (NWRB) on Wednesday (July 22) said it will not augment allocation for Metro Manila next month to preserve the remaining supply in Angat Dam.
Allocation for domestic use will stay at 41 cubic meters per second even as concessionaires seek a bigger allotment, it added.
“We wanted to increase water supply sa Angat Dam and with this, nasa El Niño episode tayo, nandoon yung pangamba na wala pa ring pag-ulan, gusto natin makaipon tayo ng sapat na tubig,” NWRB Executive Director Sevillo David said.
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David clarified that the allocation is still enough to meet Metro Manila’s demand for now as both the La Mesa and Ipo Dams are helping augment supply.
But as the El Niño phenomenon threatens to intensify in the last quarter, stakeholders fear water supply for next year could be compromised.
Angat Dam’s water level should reach at least 210 meters by year-end to ensure steady supply next summer when demand peaks. The reservoir is still far from reaching that level.
As of 6:00 a.m. on Thursday (July 23), the dam’s water level was at 179.96 meters, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported.
Also read: Angat Dam: A ‘ticking time bomb’
Jeric Sevilla, spokesperson of Manila Water, which provides water and wastewater services to the east zone of Metro Manila, said that there is no room for complacency.
“[Hindi] tayo puwede maging complacent, kahit may ine-expect tayo na 10 bagyo pa, by October less na until [the] first quarter of 2016… We want ample supply next year.”
The last time El Niño hit the country in 2009, Angat Dam’s water level dipped to 204 meters, or below target level.
As a result, some parts of Metro Manila suffered from water shortage in the summer of 2010.
Manila Water said this could happen again.
“At the worst, lagi naman part ng contingency measures, puwedeng ang gagawin natin, babawasan pressure, meron pa ring 24 hours na tubig pero babawasan mo pressure para lahat merong tubig,” Sevilla said.
“There will be areas na magkakatubig at certain times of the day, kasi mina-manage mo yung system.”
Related: No water rationing despite low Angat Dam water level
