MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. revealed Wednesday that Angat Dam can no longer meet the water supply needs of over 14 million residents in Metro Manila.
“Metro Manila and its surrounding areas have constantly grappled with water shortage problems,” Marcos said in his speech at an impounding ceremony of the Upper Wawa Dam in Montalban Rizal.
“The Angat Dam, where the metropolis is sourcing a significant bulk of its water, can no longer meet the needs of around 14 million people living in the area,” he said.
Around 90 percent of water supply needs in the metro is supplied by Angat Dam.
For months, Angat Dam has experienced a continuous decline in its water level, leading water service providers to schedule frequent water interruptions in Metro Manila.
As of 8:00 AM, the water level in Angat Dam has plummeted to 173.93 meters, significantly below the normal high water level of 210 meters.
Marcos noted that the country needs a new source of water supply in Metro Manila for the next decades.
“We need a new source of water to ensure the water security of Metro Manila and surrounding areas now and in the decades to come,” he said.
According to the chief executive, upon completion of the Upper Wawa Dam could potentially help Metro Manila supply water necessities of households within the service area of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) from 80 million liters per day to 438 million liters per day.
“These 438 to 710 million liters per day translate to supporting the water supply needs of about 2.2 to 3.5 million Filipinos in the MWSS service area,” he said.
Prior to this, the National Water Resources Board announced that it would reduce the allocation of MWSS through its concessionaires Maynilad and Manila Water starting May 16, pending the replenishment of water levels in Angat Dam from rainfall.
However, nearly two months after the announcement of the rainy season in the country, Angat Dam has yet to regain its supply.
