LWUA to roll out infra to ensure enough water resources amid El Niño threat

The Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) is set to roll out infrastructure and provide technical support to ensure that the country has enough water resources as it braces for the possible El Niño phenomenon in June.
 
The government-owned and -controlled corporation (GOCC) said it is taking a whole-of-nation approach for the conservation program, with the thin water supply already affecting health, agriculture, and the economy.
 
“(Ang) mga programa natin ng imprastruktura, sisiguruhin natin na mas maraming sources ng patubig dito sa ating bayan,” LWUA Administrator Atty. Vicente Homer Revil said at a televised public briefing on Tuesday. 
 
“Bibigyan po natin din ito ng mga technical support para maniguro tayo na ‘yung ating mga napakaimportanteng resources ng tubig ay natutugunan,” he added.
 
(Our infrastructure program will ensure that there will be additional sources of water in the country. We will also provide technical support to ensure that the important water resources are catered to.)
 
The state weather bureau PAGASA earlier this month said it expects El Niño — the abnormal warming of sea surface temperature in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean—below normal rainfall in June.
 
The Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) said supply is sufficient for the summer season, with the Angat Dam water level still at its normal level of 206.79 meters, but lower than the 214 meters in January.
 
Revil said the LWUA is now looking into the possible impact of El Niño on rates and will continue to ensure that the regulatory processes are followed before any movement.
 
“Kailangan po, importante sa lahat, (it is a must and is important that) there must be a genuine public hearing, socially acceptable to the people, economically viable, and babaan dapat ‘yung mga (they should lessen) non-revenue water,” he said, referring to leaks and wastage.
 
On the proposed Department of Water Resources, Revil said the LWUA supports any measure to consolidate all agencies concerning water under one authority.
 
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. in October cited the need for the department, which will supposedly set policy, implement structural reforms on water management, and address supply issues.
 
“Kung mangyari man ito ay aalamin natin ‘yung role ng bawat isa sa pampubliko at sa pribado. Importante po ito para ang ating bansa ay merong isang comprehensive program for the water plans for the entire country,” Revil said. — VBL, GMA Integrated News