The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said on Monday that it will issue a water conservation directive for both private sector facilities and citizens.
During a press briefing at Malacañang, Natural Resources Secretary Juan Miguel Cuna clarified that water usage restrictions will not be limited to commercial establishments like golf courses.
Every Filipino must do their part in conserving water in preparation for the expected effects of the Super El Niño. Routine practices cannot continue, as it is better to lose power than run out of water supply, he stressed.
“May kasabihan po tayo na, ’di bale nang mawalan ng kuryente, huwag lang tubig.’ At hindi po puwedeng business as usual. Kailangan po, every individual, lahat ng mamamayan, gawin natin ang part natin by conserving water, ‘yung mga unnecessary na paggamit po, katulad siguro ng mga car wash, mga pagbabasa ng ating mga driveway, and ‘yung mga swimming pool po. Mga unnecessary ‘yan at this time,” he told reporters.
Aside from avoiding excessive water use, Cuna advised Filipinos to conserve water by collecting and storing rainwater for tasks that do not require clean water.
“Isa pang puwede pong gawin para makatulong mga mamamayan ay in their own way, mag-ipon po ng tubig. Rainwater harvesting po, ito po ay matagal na pong pinag-uusapan. In fact, nagtataka ang marami, sa dalas po ng ating mga bagyo, that we’re not able to save water… Recycling ng tubig rin po. Kung kailangan magdilig for instance, ay gumamit po ng mga tubig na ‘grey water’ na sinasabi,” he said.
The Water Resource Office, under the DENR, oversees multiple offices, including the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS), the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA), and the National Water Resources Board (NWRB), who will help monitor and regulate the use and conservation of water within their areas of jurisdiction, Cuna said.
Later, he added that everyday citizens, as well as barangay and local government officials, should report cases of “non-revenue water” or leakage.
“Marami pong nasasayang na tubig, dahil dito po sa mga leaks natin. Ang mga water concessionaires natin, they’ve stepped up their efforts in terms of identifying itong mga area, tapos pinapagawa nila kaagad. Kailangan lang po siguro, ang ating publiko, mga mamamayan, tumulong pa, para ma-address itong mga leakage na ito, and definitely, makakatulong ng husto po, para makapag-conserve ng tubig,” he advised.
Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. explained that “Super El Niño” describes the condition, specifically the extreme temperature, of the Pacific Ocean.
The weather phenomenon’s impact on the country will vary, with some provinces to feel its effects in 2027, or after what he described as a “lag time.”
Recently, the Southwest Monsoon, or “Habagat” season, has been terminated by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), although remnant rains continue to mask the drought, Solidum said, which certain areas will soon experience within the month.
