MANILA -- The water crisis that Metro Manila is experiencing today is brought about by human error apart from natural occurrence such as El Nino, said Department of Public Works and Highways Rogelio Singson on Tuesday.
He added that there has been mismanagement in releasing water from Angat Dam, which led to the metro’s current predicament in water. The entire Metro Manila depends on Angat Dam for water supply.
He recalled when typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng hit last October, the water level in the dam had reached very high almost reaching the spilling level.
But he said the National Power Corporation permitted the release of huge amount of water from the dam equivalent to three months of supply in the metro.
“Pagasa was already advising there is going to be El Nino. We also say a letter from former Bulacan vice governor Willy Alvarado, who is now the province governor, appealing to National Water Resources Board (NWRB) not to release water because baha pa sa Bulacan. They were hoping it was released during the early months of 2010 during the planting season,” he explained.
Singson said should the significant amount of water in Angat was properly managed, the city would not been experiencing difficulties or at least not as severe as what it is encountering.
With this, Singson added that there are people accountable for the error but he refused to mention names.
He proposed that the heads of the water sectors be revamped. He also wanted the water releasing protocol in Angat Dam be reviewed and changed. “We should have dynamic water protocol.”
Singson has relayed his thoughts to President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III. “There will be policy decision here soon in the water sector.”
The DPWH secretary admitted that is water crisis in Metro Manila. He however denied that there is crisis nationwide.
He said the water level in Angat Dam has reached it lowest level in history with 157.6 meters. (Jill Beltran/Sunnex)