There will be no water shortage in Metro Manila and neighboring towns in Rizal, Bulacan, Cavite and Laguna until 2035.
But nearly 15 years of abundant water supply may still be cut to just two years - 2021 and 2022 - if the construction of the Kaliwa Dam, designed to augment the current Angat Dam water source, is not completed as scheduled.
Metropolitan Waterworks Sewerage System Administrator Reynaldo Velasco assured the House Committee on Metro Manila Development that sufficient water supply will be experienced until 2035 as indicated in the potable water roadmap the MWSS submitted to President Duterte.
“I can categorically tell you that if we follow the program that we started, we will be assured of enough water until 2035,” he said when asked by Quezon City Rep. Precious Hipolito-Castelo to explain what the road map is all about.
Hipolito-Castelo, committee vice chairperson, presided over the initial panel deliberation on House Bill 737 declaring Laguna Lake as a primary source of potable water. She asked Velasco to explain the short-, medium- and long-term plan that will be implemented by the MWSS to guarantee sufficient supply.
Velasco said the MWSS discussed with water concessionaires Maynilad Water Services Inc. and Manila Water Company the water supply road map and agreed that no water shortage is expected to occur 2021 and 2022.
Randy Estrellado of Maynilad confirmed that there is nothing to worry during the summers of 2021 and 2022 as far as water supply is concerned. However, he refused to assure the same optimistic condition until 2035, pointing out that there are a number of factors to contend with.
Among these are the El Nino phenomenon that causes long dry spells and water turbidity like the one experienced during typhoons.
In reaction, Velasco said that since they are ones preparing the road map for water, he will “stand by that statement” that supply will not be a problem in the coming 14 years.
“For as long as the next generation will implement what we started, I don’t see any problem,” Velasco said acknowledging the fact that a change in national leadership might also mean alteration of the road map. According to him the public may expect another ten years of sufficient water if the Laguna Lake source is fully developed.
Velasco also revealed that the construction of the Kaliwa Dam in Tanay will start in May.
Authored by Muntinlupa City Rep. Rozzano Rufino B. Biazon, HB 737 proposes to tap Laguna Lake as a primary source of potable water. It directs the Laguna Lake Development Authority to formulate and implement a program that will ensure that the quality of water in the lake will meet standards for water potability.