QUEZON CITY, Philippines — The National Water Resources Board (NWRB) has scaled back the water allocation for the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) for the month of October from the standard 50 to 52 cubic meters per second down to 44 cubic meters per second, aiming to preserve reserves ahead of a potentially “very strong” El Niño.
During a radio interview on Thursday, October 1, NWRB Executive Director Dr. Sevillo David Jr. stressed the importance of proactive management despite stable current dam levels.
“Ito pong pangamba ng very strong El Niño ay kailangan nating paghandaan kahit po nasa regular or normal level ‘yung dams po natin,” David said.
“Kaya ngayon po, habang maaga po, ang NWRB po ay minabuti po na i-manage ang pagre-release po ng tubig sa dams natin. Particular po itong Angat Dam. Sa ngayon po, para sa buwan ng October, ay mas mababa po sa regular na alokasyon na binibigay po natin sa MWSS,” he added.
David noted that reserve water remains on standby should the MWSS require emergency supplementation following the October reduction.
To offset the lower allocation from Angat Dam, the regulatory body advised the MWSS and its utility concessionaires to maximize alternative sources, including Laguna Lake, local treatment plants in Cavite, and the Upper Wawa project.
Despite the reduction, David reassured the public that supply disruptions are not currently expected.
“Sa ngayon po, wala tayong inaasahan na interruptions. Kasi nga po, itong pagbabawas natin ay para i-manage ‘yung tubig na nandiyan sa Angat Dam,” he stated.
Rains brought by the southwest monsoon (habagat) recently replenished reservoir levels across the country. Angat Dam’s elevation stands at a normal 208 meters; however, expected shortfalls in upcoming rainfall have prompted early conservation measures.
The NWRB aims to raise Angat’s water level to approximately 212 meters by late December, ensuring sufficient supply through the dry summer months ending in June.
“Ang target po sana natin ay mga 212 bago po magtapos ang taon, or end of December, para matugunan pangangailangan hanggang sa Summer Season, hanggang sa June pa,” David explained.
He warned, however, that below-normal rainfall projections from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) could cause the dam to miss that target elevation, making immediate adjustments necessary.
“Baka hindi po makaabot sa target elevation ng Angat Dam, kaya ngayon pa lang po ay nagkakaroon na tayo ng mga adjustment para naman po ma-stretch natin ‘yung supply [ng tubig] sa Angat Dam ngayon,” David said.
“Kung ‘di na magkakaroon ng karagdagang pag-ulan, ay maitawid po natin ‘yung kasalukuyang supply natin hanggang sa susunod na taon during the epekto po nitong El Niño,” he added.
PAGASA earlier cautioned that a strong El Niño could intensify into a very strong climate event between September and December, lingering through the first half of 2027.
The weather bureau projected that dry conditions will spread from 45 provinces in late October to 50 in November, 66 in December, and potentially top 80 provinces by the first quarter of 2027.