Maynilad engineer denies La Mesa bypass closed

An engineer from Maynilad Water Supply Operations on Friday denied that  the La Mesa bypass regulating the water flow shared by Maynilad and Manila Water was  closed, resulting in a water shortage in many areas.

"Nakabukas po iyan," said Engr. Ronaldo Padua in an interview on Dobol B sa News TV.

A man introducing himself as a former employee of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) said on Facebook that opening the bypass will solve the current water shortage affecting Manila Water customers.

Angel Salazar, who said he worked for the MWSS from 1982 to 2012, was replying to a Facebook post of MWSS Chief Regulator Patrick Ty explaining the reason behind the water shortage.

"The problem started when you ordered the closure of the bypass at la mesa," Salazar said.

Ty, in response, said Salazar seems to be "misinformed," adding he did not order any closure.

Screencaps of the exchange have gone viral on Facebook.

Padua said the bypass has been open for almost two years.

"Yun pong bypass na iyon ng Manila Water ay bukas na po siya halos two years na po," he said.

He said the bypass is closed only when there is too much water coming from Angat Dam.

"Sa ngayon, itong period na ito, since mid last year, bukas na yan. Nire-regulate lang ang opening niya," Padua said. —KBK, GMA News