Palace: Water supply 'manageable' despite lower levels at Angat

Malacañang on Sunday reassured the public the water supply in Metro Manila and nearby areas remains manageable even if the water level at Angat Dam has fallen below 200 meters. Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said PAGASA had projected the hot weather is to last until at least the second week of May, after which there could be rain again. “Hopefully at this point it seems it [water supply] is still manageable ... So far wala tayong nakitang indications the situation is anything to be worried about,” she said on government-run dzRB radio. But she also reminded Metro Manila residents to conserve water, saying conservation should be an “everyday habit” and should not kick in only when water supply is in danger of running short. “Hindi lang dahil mababa ang tubig medyo mas kaunti ang tubig, but that should be an everyday habit we should all acquire,” she said. Earlier Sunday, PAGASA said water levels at Angat Dam in Bulacan, which supplies more than 90 percent of Metro Manila's water needs, went below the 200-meter level. As of 6 a.m. Sunday, the water level at Angat was at 199.82 meters, down from the 200.13-meter level as of 6 a.m. Saturday. Angat's normal high water level is 210 meters. This was despite the rain that fell on parts of Luzon, including Bulacan and Metro Manila, on Saturday. PAGASA had been advising residents to conserve water during the summer months to make sure there is no waste of water. Last April 6, PAGASA hydrologist Richard Orendain said the critical level of Angat is 180 meters. He said their models indicate the water elevation at Angat Dam, which supplies over 90 percent of Metro Manila's water needs, may go down to 195 meters by May 15. By May 30, he said it may go down to 192 meters if it still does not rain. — BM, GMA News