THE Manila Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) is prodding the Local Government Units (LGUs) to issue an ordinance that would temporarily ban the use of inflatable pools, car wash and the operation of golf as they consume a lot of water during the dry season and the impending El Niño phenomenon.
The MWSS said that the ordinance should temporarily suspend such activities and facilities that use to much water.
“Malaki po yung tubig po talaga na nako-konsumo ng mga facilities na ginagamit dito,” Jose Dorado Jr., Deputy Administrator for Engineering and Technical operations Group, MWSS said in an interview at the government television station PTV.
(The water being consumed is huge by the facilities that are using it)
He clarified though that such measure should be done by the LGUs especially when the water level becomes critical.
“Dapat po maglabas sila ng ordinansa pag talagang nasa emergency mode tayo, utusan po yung mga resort o mga recreational facilities na huwag muna pong gamitin yung tubig para doon sa facilities, at gamitin lamang po muna ito sa household consumers natin,” Dorado said.
(They [LGUs] should issue an ordinance if we are under the emergency mode, they should task the resorts or the recreational facilities not to use the water for the facilities and to use it only for household consumption)
However, the National Water Resources Board is not amenable to the proposal saying it is not their policy when trying to conserve water.
The NWRB said there are other ways to help conserve water especially those living in Metro Manila.
“Pwede naman pong makatulong tayo kung pwede po ay magrecycle,” Dr. Sevillo David Jr., Executive director ng National Water Resources Board said.
“Kapag ganito pong panahon ng tag-init naman, minsan minsan po ay may mga tag-ulan, yung tinatawag na thurderstorm, baka pwede natin ipunin ito at ma-recycle para sa ating mga pangangailangan,” he added.
(We can help conserve water by recycling. During the dry season, which there are a few times rains due to the thunderstorms, we can draw water there and then recycle for our needs)
They also simply advised the MWSS to just fix the leaks.
Catherine R. Cueto
