Senator Nancy Binay on Monday appealed to consumers to start conserving water as the water levels at Angat Dam starts to decline at this time of year.

Angat Dam is the main supplier of water to Metro Manila. The National Water Resources Board (NWRB) in mid-February this year projected another water shortage in Metro Manila in April or May as water levels in Angat Dam continue to decline.

“Ang apela po natin sa mga kapwa consumer na simulan na po natin ang pagtitipid ng tubig at i-encourage din natin ang ating mga kasama sa bahay na maging praktikal sa paggamit ng tubig (We call on fellow consumers to start conserving water and encourage our housemates to be practical in using water)," Binay said in a statement.

"Kasi, kung patuloy pa rin ang nakagawian nating paggamit, panigurado kakulangan ang Metro Manila ng supply at baka umabot na naman tayo sa pagrarasyon (Because if we continue our usual ways, I'm sure Metro Manila will once again experience a shortage of water supply and we will again go back to rationing),” she pointed out.

She also said private concessionaires and national water agencies should release advisories reminding consumers of their responsibility to conserve water as the summer season starts.

As of February 24, data from the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) showed the water level at Angat at 196.09 meters, slightly lower than the 196.66 meters recorded last February 19.

Binay also said the government and private concessionaires should start rolling out their contingency plans to address the situation, considering that as the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said that there is a possibility of water shortage in Angat Dam as early as January this year.

At the same time, water agencies should start coordinating with the Philippine Air Force and PAGASA about cloud seeding operations.

“We should explore all possibilities to increase the water level at Angat and other dams, as many depend on water for their daily activities, especially in keeping safe and healthy amidst the COVID-19 pandemic,” Binay said.

She also appealed to people to support tree planting and forest management activities in watersheds, noting that trees and forests play a crucial role in storing water.

“Bagamat pangmatagalang aksyon ito, malaki naman ang pakinabang long-term kung aalagaan natin ang mga watersheds (Those this can take so much time, there is long-term effects if we take care of our watersheds),” Binay said.