With this scorching heat level that has been with us ever since December (the month when we are supposed to be feeling chilly), it is to be expected that water levels would recede very fast, as sporadic rainfall would not fill the dams supplying us with potable water.
Thus, the warning of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) about a possible water rationing is, at best, an indication that it is doing something– even if belatedly– and that it is concerned about the environment and people’s welfare.
DENR Undersecretary Carlos David said in a radio interview that unless we practice conservation measures– as if it had been doing its duty in conserving and preserving our natural resources– then it is inevitable for water sources to dry up and water rationing is next.
OpinYon has been telling its readers (both online and in its printed pages) since July, when the weather bureau announced the coming of El Nino by December to conserve water with tips on how to do this for both residents, companies and those whose business depend on water (such as refilling stations and carwash companies and owners of swimming pool) to not just waste water ad this is a finite resource that could be depleted with lack of rainfall for replenishment of the dams.
“Even though we are doing various interventions (makes me wonder what these are), residents in Metro Manila need to conserve water so that we will not reach the point where we need to resort to rationing and interruption in the supply,” David said.
As of 6:00 a.m. Wednesday, April 3, the water level of Angat Dam reached 198.15 meters or 0.29 meters less than its previous level of 198.44 meters. It was 13.85 meters below its normal high-water level of 212 meters.
It is, however, still 18.15 meters above its minimum operating level of 180 meters, PhilStar reported.
“We are still OK because of our interventions. It is still far (from the critical) level and we are confident at least in April our supply is still OK,” David boasted.
He said the National Water Resources Board (NWRB) took advantage of the Holy Week to reduce water supply for Metro Manila by at least one cubic centimeter per second for four days as many of the residents were in their respective provinces.
As a result, “we were able to save one cms and that could supply at least 500,000 people,” David added.
Concessionaire Maynilad told the Star that while NWRB expressed its plan to reduce water allocation for the metro from the current 50 CMS to 48 CMS by April 16 yet, the board will reconsider its decision.
Damage from dry spell
The damage from El Nino in agriculture was reported at P2 billion as of April 1 mainly from 10 regions– Cordillera Administrative Region, Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, MIMAROPA, Bicol, Western Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula and SOCCSKSARGEN, reported GMA Integrated News.
The damage affected 54,203 farmers tilling 53,879 hectares of farmlands, although the DA said 81.01 percent can be recovered still.
In terms of volume, a total of 116,792 metric tons of production loss across rice, corn, and other agricultural produce such as high-value crops and livestock.
Rice is the most affected crop with a total value loss of P1.72 billion from a total of 72,733 metric tons of damaged rice crops in 34,264 hectares.
Value losses to corn stood at P591.74 million while volume damage reached 35,885 metric tons in 16,956 hectares of land.
For high-value crops, the damage and losses amounted to P326.68 million while volume of production loss was at 8,173 metric tons in a total area of 2,659 hectares.
Meanwhile, damage and losses incurred by the livestock sub-sector totaled P59,600, accounting for 32 heads of chicken, cattle, carabao, and goat died due to El Niño.
The DA said it provided assistance to affected farmers which amounted to P1.08 billion.
It added that the Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM), in collaboration with relevant agencies like the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical Astronomical Services Administration (DOST-PAGASA) and Department of National Defense-Philippine Air Force (DND-PAF), “continuously conducts cloud seeding operations to ease water shortage, targeting corn areas in Southern Cagayan, Northern Isabela, and Quirino.”
“As a result, light to moderate rainfall is experienced in municipalities in these provinces, resulting in a 100-percent overall success rate of the operations,” the DA said.uzon, Mimaropa, and Western Visayas regions ensuring that there is water source in these areas prior to installation.
The DA said concreting of irrigation canals is ongoing, of which 847.82 kilometers of irrigation canals have been improved, benefitting 40,621 farmers nationwide.
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