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Duterte demands release of 150 days worth of water supply from Angat Dam


President Rodrigo Duterte has demanded the release of 150 days worth of water supply from Angat Dam in order to address the water shortage in several parts of Metro Manila, Malacañang said.

Duterte’s spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the President ordered the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) to demand from the Manila Water Company and Maynilad Water Services Inc. and other responsible offices to release water from Angat Dam in Bulacan by noon Friday, March 15, “in order to supply the affected areas in Metro Manila and deliver, as well as distribute sufficient water to the residents.”

“Failure to act or comply with this directive, the President will personally go to them and make the responsible officers account for such failure,” Panelo said.

Manila Water has been implementing water interruptions in several areas in Metro Manila and Rizal to ensure that water supply can last until June or the rainy season. Due to the effects of the El Niño phenomenon, lesser rainfall are expected in the coming months.

Panelo, however, said on Thursday that the water shortage may just be “artificial.”

The Palace official came up with the assertion after Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana supposedly told fellow Cabinet members in a chat group that the water levels in Angat Dam--Metro Manila's primary source of potable water--remained normal.

As of 6 a.m. on March 15, water level at Angat Dam was normal at 199.25 meters, still far from the 180-meter critical mark.

Panelo said there could have been inefficiency and mismanagement of water resources.

He said the government is already looking into the water shortage and assured the public that Manila Water will be held accountable if the investigation would point to their liability.

Malacañang is currently preparing an executive order for Duterte's signature aimed at addressing the water supply issues in Metro Manila and other parts of the country. — RSJ, GMA News

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