Manila Water appeals for patience in supply interruptions

Manila Water is one of the concessionaires of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System. (File Photo By Judgefloro – Own work, CC0)

MANILA— An official of the Manila Water Company Inc. appealed on Friday for patience and understanding from its customers due to its ongoing water interruption schedules in Metro Manila.

“Sa mga customers po ng Manila Water hinihingi po natin ang dagdag na pang-unawa at kooperasyon sa panahon ngayon na talaga pong kulang at hindi sapat yung ulan na bumabagsak sa watershed ng Angat Dam at dahil po dito patuloy na bumababa ang level ng tubig ng Angat Dam. Kailangan po nating i-manage ang supply natin para po pagdating ng mga susunod na buwan,” Manila Water Business Operations Support Head Kristine Guevarra said.

(We appeal for understanding and cooperation from our customers since the water supply is not enough due to the lack of rainfall so the water level in the Angat Dam remains low. We need to manage our supply for the coming months)

Guevarra admitted that the water interruption started on Thursday night and the company continues to plan for a sustainable solution to water availability in the entire Metro Manila households.

“Yung ginagawa natin ngayon na (What we are doing now about) rotational water service interruption schedules are actually proactive management of the limited water supply,” she said.

“As early as now we need to manage the limited supply to ensure to avoid a worst-case scenario in summer 2020,” she added.

The daily water service interruption schedules specific barangays in the cities of Makati, Marikina, Parañaque, Mandaluyong, Pasig, Manila, San Juan, Taguig, and Quezon City.

Gueverra urged water consumers to follow specific Metro Manila water interruption schedules on their Facebook page @Manilawaterph.

“Makakaasa po ang ating mga customers na kahit po limitado ang ating supply, pipilitin po ni Manila Water as equitably as we can sa ating customers and patuloy po tayong makikipag-ugnayan sa gobyerno para sa long-term solution,” she said.

{Our customers can expect that even with limited the water supply, Manila Water will try as equitably as we can for our consumers and we will continue to coordinate with our government to find a long-term solution)

On Thursday, National Water Resources Board (NWRB) director Sevillo David Jr. admitted the reducing the water allocation to its concessionaries to further conserve water in the Angat Dam until the end of this year and for next year’s summer as the Angat Dam’s water level remains low.

“In this situation, we preferred to retain and maintain the so-called ‘reduce allocation’ of the water supply coming from Angat Dam,” David said.

Guevarra said the decline of water level in Angat Dam resulted in the adjustment of the company’s delivery of water and manage daily rotational water service interruptions.

Manila Water is one of the concessionaires of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System.