President Duterte has criticized the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System for their lack of preparation for El Niño.
In a speech during the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan proclamation rally in Malaybalay, Bukidnon Saturday, Duterte called out the MWSS for being ill-prepared for the “seasonal” dry spell.
“Kanang MWSS, anak ka ng p***. Kada seasonal, naa gyud nang El Niño, nganong wa man na ninyo preparahe (MWSS, that son of a b***h. El Niño is seasonal but why didn’t they prepare for it)?” he said.
Duterte also said that the agency would not have scurried to restore the water supply if he did not threaten them. “Og wa nako ingna nga muanha ko ugma, pagkabuntag, agas na (If I didn’t say that I will go there…See, the following morning there’s water flowing out already),” he said.
The National Water Resources Board has advised the public that Angat Dam was approaching critical level and urged residents in Metro Manila to conserve water.
Last month, Duterte said he will wait for the report of the MWSS on the water crisis on April 10 before he announces his decision on its officials five days later. “I will not make a prejudgment. I asked them – everybody concerned – to submit a report by April 10 and I will decide before April 15,” he said.
According to Duterte, he wants to find out if the water crisis is a product of negligence, or something that is really out of the MWSS’ hands. “Ano’ng nangyari, who was responsible for it? Was there negligence or was there really something which is beyond the competence of the MWSS could control?” he asked. (Argyll Geducos)