El Niño was projected but solutions were delayed, Manila Water says
MANILA, Philippines — Amid the water crisis in Metro Manila and nearby areas, water service provider Manila Water admitted that its projected solutions to El Niño have been delayed.
Manila Water pointed out that the water crisis was not about the company's inability to manage El Niño.
El Niño is characterized by shorter wet seasons and an early onset of the dry season.
"It's simply a matter... of demand outpacing the constant supply na nagamit 'yung reserve namin that we usually use for El Niño. El Niño exacerbated the situation," Manila Water COO Geodino Carpio said in a televised press conference.
Carpio said the current water shortage in Metro Manila would not have happened if there have been no delays on new facilities.
"Kaliwa (Dam)... nung una ko marinig and Kaliwa 2017 and kept on getting delayed. Now, it's 2023," Carpio said in a televised press conference.
The Ayala-led company's activation of a water treatment facility in Cardona, Rizal have also been delayed for months. This would draw water from Laguna Lake.
According to Carpio, the facility in Cardona, Rizal was supposed to have been finished by December last year.
"I will admit that if Cardona (water plant) was energized on time then we would not be facing this severe problem today," Carpio told reporters.
There have been problems on the facility's pipe that would discharge water, pushing the contractor to repair it and review the design of the discharge pipe.
Another problem was that there were unexpected rock formations when Manila Water started its excavation in Cardona.
These problems have already been solved and the facility in Cardona is expected to energize about 31 million liters per day (MLD) within the month, the Manila Water executive said.
"It's been partially fixed now that's why we can distribute 31 liters per day some time this month and up to 50 (MLD) by the end of the month and then we will have a final fix some time June," Carpio said.
As for the Kaliwa Dam to be built in Quezon province, Carpio said the project has been severely delayed, noting that public bidding failed twice.
"Thankfully in this administration nagkaroon ng agreement with China and finally it's pushing through," Carpio said.
"With climate change we don't have sources that are adequate today and the next major water source Kaliwa (Dam) is going to hopefully be energized by 2023," he added.
La Mesa Dam in Quezon City is not expected to be refilled until the rainy season comes. Even so, it would take weeks or even months for it to be filled again.
"I would say that we would have to continue making technical adjustments on distribution throughout summer," the Manila Water executive said. — Patricia Lourdes Viray
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