Makati City 2nd District Rep. Luis Campos Jr. suggested on Wednesday that reducing the 10-percentage-point allocation of Angat Dam's water supply to irrigation might help stabilize and improve water demand for Metro Manila residents.
Campos submitted the motion in support of President Ferdinand Marcos' plan to collect, impound, and recycle storm water in Metro Manila to irrigate neighboring regions.
He explained that if the government is able to build new massive storm water reservoirs for farm irrigation, all of Angat Dam's water reserve might be freed up and allocated solely to meet Metro Manila's need for potable water.
The legislator's statements came as the water level in Angat Dam continued to plummet due to unusually low rainfall during an El Niño storm.
As of 6:00 AM on Saturday, the dam's water level dropped to 184 meters, barely four meters above the dam's crucial low water mark of 180 meters.
The normal peak water level of the dam is 210 meters.
During prior drought seasons, Angat Dam in Norzagaray, Bulacan ceased releasing farm irrigation water to conserve Metro Manila's water supplies.
Campos had earlier introduced House Resolution 906, requesting a congressional investigation into the "unsuccessful implementation" of the Rainwater Collection and Springs Development Law of 1989.
The law, which is 34 years old, compels the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to build rainwater collectors in every barangay.
During a recent congressional session, state weather scientists warned of an El Niño that has a 90% probability of forming next month and might last until the first quarter of 2024.
The Philippines last experienced an El Niño event in 2019. It was in the midst of a drought that resulted in major water shortages and farm losses.
