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The water level at Angat Dam in Bulacan, Metro Manila’s main water source, is declining due to infrequent rainfall, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said on Sunday.
According to Katrina Son’s report on “24 Oras Weekend,” PAGASA has recorded only 120 millimetres of rainfall nationwide as of June 20 — just half of the projected rainfall for the entire month.
“The critical level we are monitoring at Angat is 160 meters. This is the water level where a deficiency in water supply may already occur,” PAGASA weather specialist Jofren Habaluyas said.
In Puerto Galera town in Oriental Mindoro, a state of calamity has been declared as residents grapple with water shortages that have persisted for months.
Eleven of the town’s 13 barangays are experiencing a water crisis, while some sitios have no water supply at all.
“Due to El Niño and the increasing number of consumers, we have once again encountered problems with our water supply,” Puerto Galera Vice Mayor Rocky Ilagan said.
Despite the shortage, the municipal tourism office assured the public that hotels, resorts, dive shops and restaurants continue to operate normally.
The National Water Resources Board (NWRB) said it hopes Metro Manila will not face a situation similar to Puerto Galera.
For now, the agency said water allocation for farmlands is not being prioritized to conserve supply.
NWRB is also inspecting standby deep wells as possible additional water sources and is studying alternative supply options, including Laguna de Bay and water treatment facilities in Parañaque and Cavite.
Water concessionaires, meanwhile, said they are preparing contingency measures in case of shortages.
“We have done a lot over the years so that we are not too dependent on Angat Dam. Maynilad already has three water treatment plants sourcing water from Laguna Lake,” said Jennifer Rufo, head and assistant vice president for corporate communications at Maynilad Water Services, Inc.
“For now, our East Zone customers and Rizal continue to have 24/7 water service. We will strive to maintain that experience. Hopefully, until the fourth quarter of this year, supply will remain sufficient for our needs,” said Raymond Maymay, corporate communications manager of Manila Water Company, Inc..
Meanwhile, House Minority Leader Marcelino Libanan urged local government units to maximize the P1-billion allocation under the People’s Survival Fund in the 2026 national budget.—Vince Angelo Ferreras/MCG, GMA News
