Water supply enough for summer - NWRB

MANILA -- The National Water Resources Board (NWRB) on Wednesday clarified that there is no water crisis at this time even though water levels at several dams continue to fall. Speaking to ANC's "Headstart," the board's executive director Sevillo David Jr. said based on their projections, there is enough water supply for the summer. He, however, said this should not stop the government from considering alternative water sources for the future. He said the construction of other dams and water retention ponds should be considered to boost supply. "Right now, I think we are still comfortable with the Angat Dam as our water source. But in the next 5 to 10 years, considering the rapid development in Metro Manila, then of course our requirement for water supply will be increasing also," David said. Meanwhile, water at the Angat Dam could fall below the minimum operating level of 180 meters by the 3rd week of May. That means there will be no allocation for irrigation and water will solely be for domestic household use. But the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) said the planting season is ending so they are not worried about water supply for irrigation needs. "The planting season is about to end. In Pantabangan 40 percent is harvested... In Magat, 70 percent has been harvested. So ibig sabihin niyan we no longer need that much water... If worse comes to worst, we have several measures," said Pilipina Bermudez, manager of NIA's public affairs and information department. -- ANC