As Metro Manila braces for possible water interruption during the summer season, Senator Win Gatchalian has warned that insufficient water supply could threaten efforts to contain or curb the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Gatchalian urged water concessionaires to ensure uninterrupted water supply in households, hospitals, and medical facilities where confirmed COVID-19 patients are treated, adding that water is fundamental in ensuring treatment, hygiene, and sanitation especially in the wake of such disease outbreaks.
“The most effective way to protect oneself against the coronavirus is by frequently cleaning the hands and washing them with soap and water.”
The World Health Organization (WHO) said the most effective way to protect oneself against the coronavirus is by frequent hand washing with soap and water. By doing this, one can eliminate the coronavirus that may be present on the hands and avoid infection that could happen by touching the eyes, mouth, and nose.
Filipinos are at particular risk from water shortage, particularly those with compromised immune systems and the heightened possibility of an uptick in respiratory illnesses, increasing the risk of contracting COVID-19.
“We cannot compromise the health of the people.”
“We cannot compromise the health of the people. Water is fundamental in ensuring hygiene and sanitation, infection control, and prevention measures that is why we cannot afford water shortage at this critical time,” the veteran legislator said.
The National Water Resources Board (NWRB) had earlier announced that service interruptions will be implemented in some areas in Metro Manila in the coming weeks.
Angat Dam supplies 96 percent of Metro Manila’s water requirement. As of March 13, 2020, the water elevation of Angat dam was 200.41 meters, 11.59 meters below the dam’s normal high water level of 212 meters.
The NWRB has allowed the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) to use its existing deep wells to augment water supply for the two concessionaires, Manila Water and Maynilad.
The senator asked the NWRB to make true its commitment of aggressively monitoring water shortage in Metro Manila.