Rant prompts water action

Amid President Rodrigo Duterte’s warning of using the state’s police powers to prevent disruption of water services, water concessionaires are targeting new sources such as the Marikina River and an irrigation facility in Cavite to augment supply, a Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) official said in a television interview.

MWSS field operations management head Jose Alfredo Escoto Jr. said water concessionaires

Maynilad Water Services Inc. (Maynilad) and Manila Water Company (Manila Water) have undertaken “augmentation programs.”

Escoto said raw water will be processed from Marikina River in treatment plants that is expected to supply an additional 40 million liters per day (MLD).

Maynilad, for its part, said the government’s move to push for the completion of Kaliwa Dam will provide a long-term solution to the problem.

“We believe it is a viable long-term solution to the supply shortage that has been affecting residents of Metro Manila,” the company said.

The water firm said it is doing everything within its control to ease the impact of the current supply reduction. “Rest assured that we are working with government to ensure water security for the long-term,” the company said in a statement.

Maynilad claims it has been doing its part in implementing the necessary water infrastructure enhancements to meet the supply requirements of an ever-growing population.

“The current supply shortage is primarily due to lack of rainfall over the Angat Dam, which is still the only primary raw water source for Metro Manila and nearby provinces,” according to Maynilad.

Earlier, the President said that he will not allow the intermittent water services as he noted that the government has the option to invoke state powers to protect the welfare of consumers including a takeover of the water concessionaires and even ongoing projects.

Maynilad said it can only distribute the water volume that it receives from existing raw water sources. “The government has claimed responsibility for the development of raw water sources, but we have been working with them to expedite the process because we understand the urgency of meeting the supply needs of our customers,” it explained.