President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. directed all concerned government agencies to enhance efforts to ensure adequate water supply, particularly in areas that will be adversely affected by the El Niño phenomenon.
President Marcos made the call as he led the inauguration of Maynilad’s Poblacion Water Treatment Plant (WTP) in Muntinlupa City last Friday.
He acknowledged the timeliness of the project, given the ongoing El Niño that is forecasted to last until the second quarter of 2024.
“With the El Niño projected to last until the second quarter of 2024, we must prioritize the repair of water pipes to prevent leakages and the completion of ongoing water supply projects to ensure that we have adequate supply,” Marcos said.
“And so, let us call upon the pertinent government agencies to intensify their vigilance in overseeing the construction of water supply facilities, particularly in regions grappling with water scarcity,” he added.
Lupao, NE irrigation
Meanwhile, the Chief Executive led the inauguration of the P893-million Balbalungao Small Reservoir Irrigation Project (BSRIP) in Barangay San Isidro, Lupao,Nueva Ecija on Wednesday, December 13.
The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) project, which began in July 2020, has a 27-meter high embankment dam that would provide irrigation for close to 1,000 hectares of agricultural land and will benefit about 560 farmers.
The President said that the irrigation project is part of the government's food sustainability program as well as an alternative solution to the El Niño phenomenon that is expected to hit the country next year.
"This project shall also help address the effects of El Niño," Marcos said. "We must be prepared to counter its effects, which may last until the second quarter of 2024.''
Marcos said this is also part of the continued efforts of the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the NIA ''to boost rice productivity in Nueva Ecija, which is known as the Rice Bowl of the Philippines."
''It shows this administration's steadfast commitment to develop modern infrastructure systems that will enhance our agriculture sector,'' he said.
Also present during the ceremony were DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., NIA administrator Eduardo Guillen, 2nd District Rep. Joseph Violago, San Jose City Mayor Mario Salvador, Lupao Mayor Alex Rommel Romano and provincial board member Ferdinand "Dindo" Dysico.
Water from Laguna de Bay
The PhP11 billion Poblacion WTP is Maynilad’s third facility that taps into Laguna Lake as an alternate raw water source. It aims to supply an additional 150 million liters per day (MLD) of water to consumers in Parañaque, Las Piñas, Muntinlupa, and Cavite.
The facility is part of Maynilad’s PhP220-billion Service Enhancement Program from 2023 to 2027 that aims to promote enhanced water sustainability and climate resilience.
President Marcos encouraged the private sector to continue working with the government to provide clean water supply to consumers across the country.
“As we confront present and future challenges, this project is a testament to the positive outcomes that we might achieve when the public and private sectors unite for a greater good,” he said.
“I invite the private sector once more to further explore opportunities to collaborate with the government in addressing our water supply challenges.” (With a report from the Presidential News Desk)
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