Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 17) — Despite recent rainfalls, the water level in Angat Dam was just at 189.4 meters as of Monday—below the ideal level to ensure there is enough water supply in Metro Manila and other areas in the coming months, the National Water Resources Board said.
NWRB executive director Sevillo David Jr. said Angat Dam’s water level must reach 212 meters by yearend to ensure that it can provide water to residents in Metro Manila, as well as irrigation for farmers in Bulacan and Pampanga, particularly during summer.
“Yong mga ulan na nararanasan natin dulot ng pagbagyo nong nakaraan ay hindi pa halos nakakarating sa mga water shed kung saan naka-locate ang mga dams para naman umangat nang maayos ang lebel ng mga ito,” David explained in a government briefing.
[Translation: The rainfall we experienced due to recent typhoons have not yet reached the water sheds where the dams are located so that their water levels will increase properly.]
He also said the Pantabangan Dam in Nueva Ecija and the San Roque Dam in the Cordillera region still have low levels of water.
According to the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS), the Ipo and La Mesa dams have water levels of 99.18 meters and 78.79 meters, respectively, as of Oct. 17, which are also below their ideal levels.
The NWRB said it increased the raw water allocation of MWSS to 48 cubic meters per second until Oct. 31 to help ease the water shortage.
Meanwhile, Maynilad Water Services, Inc. has announced daily water service interruptions in areas of Metro Manila, Bulacan, and Cavite from Oct. 17 to 25 due to high demand at the Bagbag Reservoir.
David said residents must not waste water and ensured that the NWRB will coordinate with government agencies and the private sector to look for ways in developing possible water sources to address the looming water crisis.
