Metro Manila residents told to save water

Village residents and condominium occupants in the Philippine capital region are being urged to conserve water to avert supply disruption during the El Niño season until the onset of rainy season. The National Water Resources Board (NWRB) on Friday appealed to property managers to implement a water management bulletin requiring residents to use water sparingly. Under the bulletin, residents should only water plants and clean roads and sidewalks when necessary and capture rainwater in drums. “As we enjoin residents and occupants to conserve water to tide us over the El Niño season, the NWRB likewise encourages them to regularly check their water meters to detect leaks,” OIC-Executive Director Ricky Arzadon said. The agency also advised postponing swimming pool maintenance work that requires replacing water. It promoted using pails and dippers instead of hoses for washing cars, cleaning driveways and watering lawns. The measures comply with President Marcos’ instructions on mitigating El Niño impacts. His executive order last January reconstituted the government’s El Niño task force led by Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and cochaired by Science Secretary Renato Solidum. —RUSSEL LORETO