QUEZON CITY, (PIA) -- Metro Manila Disaster Risk Response and Management and Management Council (MMDRRMC) and local government units in Metro Manila are setting up contingency measures in preparation for the looming water crisis and the El Niño phenomenon, according to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

MMDA Acting Chair and concurrent MMDRRMC Chair Atty. Don Artes said all the 17 local governments in Metro Manila have already formed their respective task force that will formulate the preparations and contingency measures to mitigate the effects of El Niño in their respective cities.

Each of the LGUs’ individually-created task force will submit their proposed plans to the Metro Manila Council (MMC) which is set to convene before the end of this month.

"Recommendations will be consolidated and coordinated with the concerned government agencies for possible implementation and replication of efforts in other regions,” Artes said.

MMDA is also closely coordinating with the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) on monitoring water supply and regulating the use of water in Metro Manila. 

“We are also coordinating with the MWSS on how to recycle the treated wastewater from various Sewerage Treatment Plants,” Artes said.

The MMDA Chair also said the agency is mulling to procure a device that can collect water from air with a filtration system which can produce potable water. The official said that the collected water may be used as an alternative water source.

On disaster preparedness, the MMDA is continuously conducting Water Search and Rescue Training of responders and rescuers from different LGUs, monitoring closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras along the waterways to monitor water level. Recently, the agency also procured four boats to be used for rescue operations.

“All of the 71 pumping stations are 100% operational and continuous declogging operations are conducted to mitigate flooding in the metropolis,” Artes said.