NANANATILING matatag ang suplay ng tubig sa Metro Manila sa gitna ng El Niño phenomenon, ayon sa report ng Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) at National Water Resources Board (NWRB) sa Task Force El Niño (TFEN).
Sa pagpupulong ng TFEN noong Peb. 12, tiniyak nina DENR Undersecretary Carlos Primo C. David at NWRB Executive Director Atty. Ricky A. Azardon sa task force ang pagsasagawa ng mga hakbang bilang pagtalima sa direktiba ni Presidente Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. na tiyakin ang seguridad sa tubig sa gitna ng pananalasa ng weather phenomenon sa bansa.
Iniulat din nina David at Azardon kay task force chairperson, Defense Secretary Gilbert C. Teodoro na mahigpit na nakikipagtulungan ang private water concessionaires sa pamahalaan upang i-monitor ang water leaks at wastage sa Metro Manila upang agad itong matugunan. Ang water level ng Angat Dam hanggang Peb. 14, 6 a.m., ay nasa 208.61 meters, nasa itaas ng critical level na 180 meters.
“We are also continuously assessing and monitoring the current state of the Angat Dam, while considering the possible forecasted dry conditions in the succeeding months attributed to the El Niño phenomenon,” sabi ni David kay Teodoro.
“It is crucial for residents, businesses, and institutions to remain vigilant and actively participate in efforts to conserve water resources. Implementing water-saving practices such as rainwater harvesting, reducing consumption, fixing leaks promptly, and optimizing irrigation systems can significantly contribute to mitigating the impacts of the El Niño,” ayon kay David.
Iniulat din ng DENR at NWRB na nagsimula na silang magpalaganap ng information at education campaign materials sa water conservation at recycling.
“Presidential instructions related to water security are in full swing, in compliance with President Marcos’ Executive Order No. 53 which directs the government to streamline, reactivate, and reconstitute the old El Niño task forces under EO No. 16 (s. 2001) and Memorandum Order No. 38 (s. 2019),” anang mga opisyal.
Sa ilalim ng EO No. 53 na nilagdaan noong Enero 19, 2024, inatasan ni Presidente Marcos ang task force na bumuo ng isang komprehensibong disaster preparedness and rehabilitation plan para sa El Niño at La Niña upang magkaloob ng “systematic, holistic, at results-driven interventions” para tulungan ang publiko na makayanan at mabawasan ang mapaminsalang epekto.
Itinalaga ng Pangulo si Teodoro bilang task force chairperson, habang si Science and Technology Secretary Renato U. Solidum ang co-chairperson.
Itinalaga rin ng Pangulo bilang mga miyembro ng task force sina Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo Loyzaga, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., Health Secretary Teodoro J. Herbosa, at National Economic and Development Authority Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan.
(PNA)
