Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 11) — As water service interruptions hit parts of Metro Manila, a senator will call for a legislative probe into the supply issues caused by El Niño.
Senator Grace Poe said she wants water concessionaires Maynilad and Manila Water to explain their short-term and long-term plans.
The first hearing will be held as soon as the Senate resumes sessions later this month, according to the chairperson of the public services committee.
“We want to call in the different water suppliers…ano bang plano nila in the short term na nagkakaroon ng shortages na ganito kasi dapat meron din silang, MWSS should have a contingency plan,” Poe said.
[Translation: We want to call in the different water suppliers…to know what their plans are in the short term because of the supply shortages. The MWSS should have a contingency plan.]
The senator added that the water concessionaires should go beyond water rationing, calling it “primitive.” She said their franchises should be reviewed, but considers revocation to be a “drastic” measure.
The Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) is also in hot water for its alleged shortcomings as a regulatory body.
“Yung MWSS parang, pasensya na pero, parang inutil pagdating sa pag-a-administer ng ano ng tubig. Kahit ano pang sabihin natin talagang kulang ang tubig dahil hindi natin nade-develop ang imprastraktura ng tubig. Hanggang ngayon inaantay natin ang Kaliwa Dam,” Poe said.
[Translation: I’m sorry but the MWSS appears to be useless when it comes to water administration. Whatever we say, there really is a water shortage because we can’t develop the infrastructure for water. We are still waiting for Kaliwa Dam until now.]
The lawmaker said she sees the creation of the Department of Water Resources as the solution to streamline all government efforts to address the water crisis.
