‘Conserve Water’

Malacañang has joined the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical Services Administration (PAGASA) in calling for the conservative use of water, as the water levels in dams supplying potable water to Metro Manila has reached critical levels due to the scorching heat of summer.

Presidential Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. made the call as he noted the warning of the DOST and PAGASA over the occurrence of El Nino next month.

“Batay sa pag-aaral ng PAGASA, posibleng magsimula na ang panahon ng El Niño sa darating na buwan ng Hunyo. Kapag ito ay naganap, maaari itong tumagal ng hanggang siyam na buwan o hanggang unang bahagi ng 2015,” Coloma said.

“Ayon kay Kalihim Mario Montejo ng DOST, maaaring mag-resulta sa mas kaunting pag-ulan kaya’t magpapahayag ang PAGASA ng buwanang ulat hinggil sa pag-ulan sa iba’t ibang bahagi ng bansa,” he added.

El Niño is a weather phenomenon that could affect the normal rainfall pattern in the country generally resulting in reduced rainfall.

PAGASA will be furnishing a monthly rainfall outlook for six months for the different parts of the country.

El Niño causes the behavior of tropical cyclones to become erratic, affecting its tracks and intensity. The tropical cyclone tracks are expected to shift northward and its intensity could become stronger.

Concerned agencies are advised to take precautionary measures to mitigate the potential impact of this phenomenon.

“Kaisa po kami sa panawagan ng DOST at PAGASA sa kahalagahan ng wasto at matipid na paggamit ng tubig,” Coloma said.

“Ayon sa kanilang pinakahuling ulat, nasa kritikal na antas ang tubig sa Angat Dam na siyang pinanggagalingan ng hanggang 90 porsyento ng tubig sa Metro Manila at mga kalapit na lalawigan. Ginagamit din ang tubig mula sa Angat Dam para sa irigasyon at elektrisidad,” he added.

He said President Aquino has tasked members of his Cabinet to undertake measures to address the effects of the El Niño phenomeno.

“Ang climate change mitigation and adaptation ay isa sa mga prayoridad na programa sa Philippine Development Plan,” Coloma said.