Water allocation further reduced amid El Niño phenomenon

With the ongoing El Niño in the country, the NWRB resolved a 5% decrease from last month’s water allocation effective yesterday. (Photo from NWRB’s website)

MANILA – Amid the onset of the El Niño phenomenon, the National Water Resources Board (NWRB) further reduced the water allocation intended for domestic and municipal use in Metro Manila.

“The [Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration] confirmed that we are now feeling the effects of an extraordinary El Niño that will last until about June next year,” NWRB Executive Director Sevillo David Jr. said in a press briefing.

David disclosed that last month’s supply of 38 cubic meters per second (cms) has been reduced by two cms in this month’s supply. It can be noted that the normal water allocation has been at 43 to 46 cms.

“This is to ensure the public that there is adequate water supply amid the strengthening of El Niño, which is projected to last until June, 2016,” David said.

Also preventing crop damage in the dry season, the NWRB has allocated a 10 cms standby supply for each 14,000 hectares of farmlands in Bulacan and Pampanga. These will be released as soon as the need arise.

“Releasing water for the irrigation requirements of our farmers will have an effect on our water supply, but I can assure that there will be enough water supply until summer of 2016,” David added.