MWSS urged to implement long-term solutions to stop another water shortage
Published Jun 12, 2019 01:51 pm
By Charissa Luci-Atienza
Concerned about another looming water shortage in Metro Manila, Minority Leader and outgoing Quezon Rep. Danilo Suarez called on the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) and other concerned agencies to implement long-term solutions to address the problem.
House Minority Leader and Quezon Rep. Danilo Suarez (KJ ROSALES / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
He noted that the House adopted a resolution urging the MWSS and other concerned agencies to fast track the mitigation of a water crisis and ensure of a stable and safe water supply in Metro Manila.
"It is surprising that as we enter the rainy season, we still experience the same problem. Hence, I highly urge MWSS and the water concessionaires concerned to explain and address this water shortage immediately, " Suarez said.
During the first quarter of 2019, he sought the commitment of MWSS and the two water concessionaires--Manila Water and Maynilad, on the resolving the water shortage.
"The China-funded Kaliwa Dam Project will not be enough to provide adequate supply to cover the water requirement in the coming years. Thus, it is imperative that concerned agencies implement long-term solutions as what we have sought before. The public cannot live on empty faucets and empty promises," he said.
Last week, the House adopted House Resolution 2593, principally authored by Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and co-authored by Suarez, urging the MWSS and other concerned agencies to come up with a master plan for a secure and sustain the supply of water for household, commercial, and industrial uses in Metro Manila.
Arroyo noted the projection of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) in 2015 that 750 million people in the next 10 years will live without reliable or safe drinking water.
Under the resolution, the lawmakers sought the construction of additional dams like the Kaliwa, Laiban, and Kanan dams; the rehabilitation of the Wawa Dam; utilization of water from the hydropower plant in Angat-Norzaragay; and construction of tunnels and aqueducts to transport water from Ipo Dam to the La Mesa Reservoir.
House Minority Leader and Quezon Rep. Danilo Suarez (KJ ROSALES / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
He noted that the House adopted a resolution urging the MWSS and other concerned agencies to fast track the mitigation of a water crisis and ensure of a stable and safe water supply in Metro Manila.
"It is surprising that as we enter the rainy season, we still experience the same problem. Hence, I highly urge MWSS and the water concessionaires concerned to explain and address this water shortage immediately, " Suarez said.
During the first quarter of 2019, he sought the commitment of MWSS and the two water concessionaires--Manila Water and Maynilad, on the resolving the water shortage.
"The China-funded Kaliwa Dam Project will not be enough to provide adequate supply to cover the water requirement in the coming years. Thus, it is imperative that concerned agencies implement long-term solutions as what we have sought before. The public cannot live on empty faucets and empty promises," he said.
Last week, the House adopted House Resolution 2593, principally authored by Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and co-authored by Suarez, urging the MWSS and other concerned agencies to come up with a master plan for a secure and sustain the supply of water for household, commercial, and industrial uses in Metro Manila.
Arroyo noted the projection of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) in 2015 that 750 million people in the next 10 years will live without reliable or safe drinking water.
Under the resolution, the lawmakers sought the construction of additional dams like the Kaliwa, Laiban, and Kanan dams; the rehabilitation of the Wawa Dam; utilization of water from the hydropower plant in Angat-Norzaragay; and construction of tunnels and aqueducts to transport water from Ipo Dam to the La Mesa Reservoir.