Scenes like this may again become a familiar sight in parts of Metro Manila and Cavite province this Holy Week. Maynilad on Thursday said service improvement works from April 16 to 20 will cause supply cutoffs lasting five to 30 hours. 鈥擩AM STA. ROSA / FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines 鈥� A water deficit is possible next year in Metro Manila, including Cavite and Rizal, should the population in the region continue to increase, according to an official from the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System Regulatory Office (MWSS RO) on Tuesday.
During a press conference with reporters to address water interruptions that affected parts of southern Metro Manila, MWSS RO officer-in-charge (OIC) Lee Robert M. Britanico explained that Metro Manila鈥檚 population has been increasing since the economy reopened and more people returned from the provinces.
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鈥淲e have an increasing demand, so the deficit is projected definitely. Our supply right now is okay,鈥� said Britanico.
Asked when he thought the deficit could happen, Britanico said it could happen in 2023, based on Metro Manila鈥檚 population.
According to the OIC, should the NCR fail to 鈥済et a new water source or an increase in supply this year鈥� or will the region start to experience problems? However, he assured the public that there are still sufficient supplies this year, even with the summer season looming.
However, he still encouraged people to save water.
鈥淣ot to alarm everybody, but it鈥檚 more of, we want to encourage everybody to be on the same boat na para magkaroon tayo ng concerted effort kung paano natin mako-conserve yung tubig, kung paano natin efficiently gagamitin ang tubig,鈥� said Britanico.
(Not to alarm everybody, but it鈥檚 more that we want to encourage everybody to be on the same boat so that there will be a concerted effort to conserve water and efficiently use water).
Britanico also assured that they check with water concessionaires Maynilad and Manila Water to ensure they efficiently operate the supplies.
鈥淭here are plans in place, there are measures in place para to avoid that, and to make sure that customers have 24/7 water, even in the summer,鈥� said Britanico.
鈥淲e are preparing for the worst. We don鈥檛 want to have a significant deficit,鈥� he added.