Amid storms, no water
By Michael Punongbayan (The Philippine Star) Updated July 19, 2010 12:00 AM
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MANILA, Philippines – The water level in the Angat Dam continues to recede despite the rains brought by
typhoon “Basyang,” causing water concessionaire Maynilad Water Services Inc. to cut its July water supply by
30 percent.
In an advisory, Maynilad said because of the rationing, 46 percent of its customer base has experienced
reduced water pressure and shorter water supply schedules.
Ten percent of its customer base was severely affected, having only six hours of water supply or none at all.
The water level in Angat Dam has steadily dropped because of the El Niño phenomenon that occurred from
the last quarter of 2009 until early last month.
Areas severely affected by the July reduction include 22 barangays in Quezon City, 13 barangays in
Caloocan City, four barangays in Malabon, four barangays in Valenzuela City, two barangays in Las Piñas
City and a barangay in Navotas.
“While we have been doing our best to mitigate the effects of the 30 percent water supply reduction, we are
significantly constrained by the prevailing circumstances,” Maynilad said. “We will continue to identify and
implement other technical and extraordinary measures as the need arises.”
The water concessionaire said it would regularly announce the supply schedule through their zone
management teams that would go to barangays, through the media, and the company website http://www.
mayniladwater.com.ph.
Maynilad is the water and wastewater provider of 17 cities and municipalities in the West Zone of Metro
Manila.
Meanwhile, the weather bureau said the active low pressure area over Baler, Aurora would continue to bring
rains over the western sections of Central and Southern Luzon in the next few days.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said the
whole country would experience cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms.
Central and Southern Luzon would experience widespread rains.
Pagasa senior weather forecaster Robert Sawi said the active low-pressure area-spotted 30 kilometers
southeast of Baler, Aurora as of 2 p.m yesterday-could develop into a tropical cyclone over the South China
Sea. - with Helen Flores
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