“Mananagot sila lahat (pag may problema pa sa tubig),” Palace says
(Eagle News) — President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday, March 15, gave an ultimatum for those concerned to release water from Angat dam to ensure the water supply of all residents affected by the water shortage.
According to Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo, Duterte has asked the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System “to demand” from Manila Water the release of water “good for 150 days, in order to supply the affected areas in Metro Manila and deliver, as well as distribute sufficient water to the residents thereof.”
“Mananagot sila lahat (pag may problema pa sa tubig),” Panelo said in an interview over CNN Philippines.
“We cannot even understand why, walang problema sa Angat bakit nagkakashortfall. Something must be wrong somewhere. Dapat irelease na nila yan kundi si presidente mismo pupunta dun para magrelease,” Panelo added.
Several residents serviced by water concessionaire Manila Water have been experiencing no- to limited water supply for several days.
Manila Water has attributed the water shortage to what it said were the declining water levels at La Mesa dam due to El Niño.
But the Palace has argued the water in La Mesa dam comes from Angat dam, which is also the primary source of water of the other water concessionaire, Maynilad.
Maynilad has not encountered water supply problems so far.