MWSS' Ty on La Mesa bypass: It's open

Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) Chief Regulator Patrick Ty on Friday denied that he ordered the closure of the La Mesa bypass regulating the water flow shared by Maynilad and Manila Water, resulting in water supply shortage in Metro Manila's East zone.

"For the record the bypass is open, it's not closed," Ty said in a press conference in Quezon City.

"This is where Manila Water gets its 1,000 MLD (million liters per day) supply. If it's closed Manila Water would not have water at all."

Ty made the remark after a man introducing himself as a former employee of the 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 Ty's Facebook post 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 on Facebook, said Salazar seems to be "misinformed."

Screencaps of the exchange have gone viral on Facebook.

Ty said the MWSS, together with concessionaires Manila Water and Maynilad, has identified several short term solutions to address the water situation.

He said the Cardona Water Treatment Plant in Rizal, which taps water from the Laguna Lake, will be energized within the month. The Cardona plant will make available 10 MLD of water for Metro Manila.

The MWSS and National Water Resources Board are also tapping several deep wells, Ty said.

"Third, we secured the commitment of Maynilad to share 50 MLD to Manila through cross border sharing," he said.

On the viral post about the La Mesa bypass closure, the MWSS chief regulator advised the public to be "mindful of the information we receive and share from sources online and social media."

"We must get our information from credible sources and attorneys. As much as possible we should be always well advised on matters pertaining to issues involving the welfare of the people so as to avoid misleading information," Ty said. —KBK, GMA News