This week, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) officially declared the onset of the El Niño phenomenon in the Philippines.
With above-average temperatures causing a “reduction of rainfall,” there’s a real possibility that we could be facing a potential shortage in our water supply in the near future.
In fact, according to the National Water Resources Board (NWRB), water levels at major dams in Luzon are still dropping, particularly Angat Dam, which water level is now nearing its "minimum operating water level" of 180 meters.
In Laguna province, it’s no secret that water supply woes continue to plague residents, especially in urban areas.
And with the onset of the El Niño phenomenon, local government units should expect the worst in our current problems with our water supply system. As most LGUs have proven, it’s no use expecting the water concessionaires who handle the distribution of water to residents and businesses to fix this problem on their own.
For instance, the municipal government of Los Baños has taken actions to solve the issue of water distribution brought by seemingly endless complaints against its primary water supplier.
Los Baños LGU will also launch a deep well project in the barangay and place these in every purok and common areas as alternative water sources.
It’s also high time to look into the possibility of considering Laguna de Bay as a primary source of water for the province. Although with the current quality of the lake (Class C, or fit only for fishery and industrial water supply), it will take months of coordinated action by LGUs and the private sector to restore the quality of the lake's water to a level acceptable for household use.
And there’s no time for delay, according to PAGASA, as the El Niño phenomenon could last until 2024.
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