In order to avoid a water crisis, the Metro Manila Council (MMC) on Wednesday proposed that Local Government Units (LGU) in the National Capital Region (NCR) to install a rain catchment system.
In a press conference, MMC president San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora said these systems can be set up in city halls, barangay halls, and public schools.
“Yung tubig ulan na nasasalo ng ating mga bubong at alulod ay dadaloy papunta sa mga drum upang ating maimbak at magamit,” Zamora said.
“We have to reuse and recycle water kaysa naman ang tubig ulan ay dumaloy lamang sa mga kalye at drainage na nagdadagdag pa sa problema ng baha, mas mabuting saluhin natin ito at gamitin sa mabuting paraan,” he added.
According to Zamora, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will provide tanks for the catchment system.
MMDA Chairperson Romando Artes said the MMDA is already conducting research on a modular rain catchment system that is adjustable with space.
“Meron po tayong nire-research ngayon na rain catchment system kung saan modular. So depende po sa espasyo, puwede i-adjust yung modular catchment basin na yan na nagho-hold ng up to 10 cubic meters or 10,000 liters,” Artes said.
“Ang maganda sa tinitignan nating sistema ay ang unang tulo, lalo kung galing sa bubong, tatapon po muna para ang naiistore lang ay ang malinis na tubig,” he also noted.
The National Water Resources Board (NWRB) earlier warned of a possible water shortage due to the effects of the El Niño phenomenon. The agency announced a cut in the water supply allocation to conserve water in light of the El Niño.
On July 4, PAGASA declared the start of the El Niño phenomenon in the Tropical Pacific and its effects are now expected in the Philippines.
The El Niño phenomenon is characterized by the abnormal warming of sea surface temperature in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean and below normal rainfall.
