Senatorial aspirant Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar called on the concerned government agencies to start the preparation to address the looming water supply shortage during the dry season.

This, as the National Water Resources Board (NWRB) disclosed that the water level in Angat Dam may drop to its critical level by April based on the current water consumption and projected weather.

Apparently, Angat Dam did not reach the expected water level of 212 meters at the end of 2021, which was supposed to provide enough supply to Metro Manila consumers, as it registered only 202.8 meters.

Eleazar said water supply shortage has been the problem in Metro Manila and other areas and this calls for a long-term solution in order to address the usual scenario of people lining up to get water supply from fire trucks.

He stressed the importance of creating a national action plan to address water shortage especially after the water level in Angat Dam, the source of 90 percent of water supply in Metro Manila, is forecasted to drop to its critical level by April.

“Taon-taon na lang na problema ito kaya obligasyon ng pamahalaan na resolbahin ito at iwasan ang maling sistema na saka lamang pinag-uusapan at nagkukumahog na makagawa ng solusyon kapag nandiyan na ang problema (This has been a problem every year so it is the obligation of the government to solve this and prevent another scenario wherein this issue is only being discussed and the solution is only being mapped out when the problem is already there),” said Eleazar.

He said there is a need to improve the country’s water infrastructure and invest in making agricultural irrigation in the countryside more efficient.

Eleazar also stressed the need for a dialogue with water concessionaires and other stakeholders in order to come up with a national action plan in addressing the water supply problems especially in Metro Manila and nearby areas.