AMID water shortage that has affected Metro Manila and other nearby areas, President Rodrigo Duterte is scheduled to meet with officials of the Metropolitan Waterways and Sewerage System (MWSS) on Tuesday afternoon, March 18.
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said Duterte would have a meeting with MWSS around 6:30 p.m. Tuesday to get updates on the government's resolve to address the water crisis.
"Mag-rereport sila kung anong nangyayari. 'Di ba may directive siya (The MWSS will report to the President to update him about the government's efforts to address the water shortage. Remember, he issued a directive)," the Palace official told Palace reporters.
Panelo, however, did not provide further details about the meeting between Duterte and the MWSS.
Water supply services were interrupted for several days since March 7 in Metro Manila and its neighboring provinces, after private water concessionaire Manila Water implemented operational adjustments due to supposed decreasing water reserve level of La Mesa Dam.
On March 15, Duterte ordered the MWSS to direct Manila Water and another private water concessionaire Maynilad Water Services to release water from Angat Dam that can supply affected areas for "150 days."
Prior to Duterte's directive, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles revealed on March 13 that the President is slated to sign an executive order that will resolve issues in the development, utilization and management of water-related services in the country. (SunStar Philippines)