The Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) focuses on dam rehabilitation as part of its water management initiatives.
Danish Ambassador Mellbin suggests utilizing Danish solutions to address water management problems in the Philippines.
Dam rehabilitation helps mitigate flooding and provides water for potable use and irrigation, thus managing dams efficiently supports agricultural irrigation.
Denmark emphasizes efficient use of groundwater, while the Philippines relies on surface water.
Groundwater supply is observed in certain areas of Bulacan, such as Malolos.
Implementing a groundwater system in Metro Manila is deemed inefficient.
Richli Water in Bohol utilizes rivers and springs as sources of potable water.
Danish high-technology water solutions and investment opportunities are offered for better water management.
Energy-efficiency seminars and improved planning and regulation are suggested for water management enhancements.
Dam rehab to aid flood control, agri—MWSS
At a glance
The Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) said rehabilitating the dams is one of the many testaments to its initiatives in water management.
In a forum on Monday, Sept. 25, four Philippine water delegates discussed possible ways and strategies to better manage water with the Danish Ambassador. This is so that water companies would be able to address certain problems with the help of Danish solutions.
With the proactive measures on dam rehabilitation, MWSS Administrator Leonor C. Cleofas explained that this provides a solution to flooding.
“We want to help them rehabilitate the dams so that we can obtain more water when there is flooding, and then we can use it to mitigate the flood, make it potable, and also [aid with] the irrigation,” she said.
In essence, dams act as water storage which also redirects the floodwater to different uses, without going to waste.
Cleofas also noted that managing this would also help with agricultural irrigation.
Danish Ambassador Franz-Michael Mellbin adds to this thought by advising free water should be given to the agriculture sector.
“Most of agriculture [in different countries] gets water for free. But water [in the Philippines] is not for free. And it does not create sound incentive mechanisms,” he pointed out.
Although Denmark is not big on dam regulation, Mellbin shared that they are more efficient with utilizing groundwater. Groundwater is supplied from springs and deep wells, which are also observed to be operational for areas in Bulacan.
“Here in the Philippines, some of the water districts are relying on groundwater, especially Malolos,” said Cleofas.
When asked if this groundwater system could be applied in Metro Manila, Cleofas replied that this would not be efficient.
Meanwhile, the private utility company Richli Water highlighted the environmentally sustainable measures for the province of Bohol.
Richli Water President Ralph B. Lim explained that Bohol uses rivers and springs, which are used as potable water.
“I’m happy to share that we are using surface water, as compared to groundwater in Denmark. But of course, the groundwater over there [in Denmark] is much cleaner and it’s not as depleted as it is here in the Philippines,” said Lim.
When asked about future water management investments, Danish Ambassador Mellbin hoped that prospective investors in the Philippines would be interested in Denmark’s high-technology water solutions.
He also added that other investments they could offer would include energy-efficiency seminars, along with better planning and regulation to pave the way for better water management. (Gabriell Christel Galang)