NOT EVEN the assurance from the National Water Resources Board (NWRB) seemed enough to appease the apprehension of residents from the National Capital Region and adjoining provincesamid reports that Angat Dam is rapidly drying up.
NWRB executive Sevillano David Jr. however maintained that the situation remains “manageable.”
As of 8 a.m. Saturday, Angat Dam’s water level stood at 178.21 meters, down from the 178.52 m recorded on Friday, as per data from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).
Angat Dam’s normal high water level is at 212 meters.
“Mababa na du’n sa minimum operating level na sinasabi natin na 180 meters,” David was quoted in a radio interview.
“Bagamat masasabi nating manageable ang situation, pero nasa panahon tayo na kailangan ng masusing pag monitor at maagap na management ng lebel kasi patuloy itong bumababa,” he added.
“Manageable siya kung ang water supply ng Metro Manila ang pag-uusapan. Sa ganitong sitwasyon, mas binibigyan natin ng prayoridad ang domestic water supply para sa Metro Manila at karatig probinsya.”
With water level below the minimum requirement, the NWRB official cited the need to regulate the water release, even as he noted that the agency is bent on reducing supply for irrigation purposes.
According to David, such a move would not adversely affect the agri sector in view of the harvest season.
“Binawasan na ang alokasyon para sa irigasyon. By next week, baka i-suspend ang pag-release sa irigasyon… pero hindi naman makakaapekto sa ngayon yan kasi ay halos nasa pag-aani na sila.”
He also called on the public to seriously consider the idea of water conservation in view of the El Niño phenomenon.
El Niño is characterized by unusually warmer than average sea surface temperatures (SSTs) in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific, which may result in below-normal rainfall conditions.
For the month of May, David warded off the possibility of water interruption since water in dams remains sufficient.
