The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) assured during a Monday press briefing that a water crisis due to the impending drought can be avoided through effective conservation.

“How much we manage it, how much we conserve will be affecting whether we have a crisis or not,” DOST Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. said. “Balance ‘yan ng available at gasto natin.”

Environment Secretary Juan Miguel Cuna disclosed that the Angat Dam had gone below the record all-time low at one point, and noted that there had been no water interruptions at that time.

“Historically, ang all-time low natin, na, in 2019, 157 meters ang—I’m talking about Angat Dam, which provides 90 percent ng water supply dito sa NCR. Pero this year, noong July, 150 (meters) po. Pero kung napapansin po ninyo, hindi po tayo nagkaroon ng water interruption,” Cuna said.

He explained that, apparently, water usage decreased, so there was enough to meet demand, and no crisis had been triggered.

Additionally, following the recent storms, the said dam is presently at a steady 208 meters.

Cuna said that in the National Capital Region (NCR), the DENR has been coordinating with the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) and water concessionaires to prepare for the worst, including plans for the deployment of water tankers.

“Hinahanda po natin lahat ng mga dapat. Dito sa NCR, Metro Manila, we’ve been working with MWSS and the water concessionaires. In the worst case scenario po, mayroon pong nakahandang mobile tsaka stationary na tankers ‘yung dalawang concessionaire that will be placed in strategic places, kung saan po magkukulang talaga ang tubig,” he said, adding that The Netherlands donated emergency “water bladders” to be made accessible in places where water shortages are likely to hit.

Cuna reiterated Solidum’s point that the possibility of a water crisis is contingent on how well Filipinos are able to conserve water supply.

“But we’ve been continuously providing massive information and education campaigns para sa water conservation. Tingin ko po… it will all depend kung papaano tayo mag-conserve ng tubig,” he emphasized.