The government will tap the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to help ensure order in water distribution in Metro Manila, with over a hundred barangays suffering from severe water shortage despite a slight increase in the level of the Angat reservoir, which supplies most of the capital region’s potable water.
In a press briefing in Malacañang on Wednesday, the secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Rogelio Singson said the national government has asked the Department of National Defense (DND) to provide personnel who will secure water rationing operations of Maynilad Water Services and Manila Water Co. Inc.
"The two concessionaires are actively ensuring that the water tankering operations are orderly," Singson said. He added that they asked the help of the DND secretary Voltaire Gazmin, who is also National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) chair, “to provide warm bodies so there is more order in the distribution of this water tankering."
Singson also said that Manila Water has agreed to augment the supply of Maynilad by about 40 million liters a day in a "cross-border arrangement."
Over 3 million residents in 117 barangays of the metropolis continue to be affected by the water shortage even though the water level in Angat dam has risen by 70 centimeters, from 158.18 meters on Wednesday to 158.88 Thursday, partly due to the government's cloud-seeding efforts.
Of these barangays, 32 have been getting from zero to only six hours of water supply everyday, according to Singson, who was president of Maynilad prior to his appointment to the DPWH.
Riots possible?
Singson said he does not expect riots to occur due to people scrambling for water, but said the government has "anticipated" disorder.
The DPWH chief said national agencies will also meet with local government officials in severely affected areas "for their support in terms of seeing to it that peace and order are maintained in these areas where there are water stations."
Singson said they will also ask local governments to arrest and penalize those who puncture water pipes in their desperate attempt to get water, adding that this practice is not helping as it contaminates the water supply.
In a separate press briefing, three Metro Manila mayors said that while their constituents are undergoing water supply problems, the situations is still manageable.
Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim said he has ordered his precinct commanders to check within their jurisdictions, adding that he will determine the 35 barangays in Manila that Singson said were affected by water shortages.
Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista and Navotas Mayor John Rey Tiangco, meanwhile, said that while there has been disarray in some cases when tankers ran out of water supply, it has not led to violent fights for water.
Asked whether he thinks soldiers are needed to secure water rationing areas, Bautista replied, "As far as Quezon City is concerned, I don't think so."
Tiangco said Navotas residents remained calm as long as they know the exact time they would have water supply.
Both mayors, however, expressed no objection to soldiers ensuring peace and order in their areas.
No 'water czar’
Meanwhile, Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said that while the government was "very concerned" with the shortage, President Benigno Aquino III does not see the need to name himself "water czar" as suggested by some lawmakers.
Lacierda maintained that the government has put in place measures — cloud seeding, leak repairs, developing alternative sources of water, among others — to address the situation.
"We are also asking the private sector and those who are not affected to do their share also and help us in alleviating the water problem in the affected barangays," said the Palace spokesman.—JV
