Senator Grace Poe on Tuesday called on water concessionaires to implement supply contingency and augmentation plans during the summer months, and coordinate with relevant agencies to ensure continuous water supply.

“The heat is on, water is on high demand, and without it, our health is at risk. Water providers must ensure an uninterrupted, 24/7 supply,” Poe said in a statement.

Poe, who chairs the Committee on Public Services, said this is to prevent the outbreak of heat-induced diseases, like heat stroke, due to a combination of water shortage and intense heat.

She said the water firms should also coordinate closely with the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) and the National Water Resources Board (NWRB) to help ensure that customers will experience continuous water supply, even during peak demand periods.

“Kung walang tubig sa gripo dahil sa water interruption, ang iba sa atin walang magagamit na tubig kahit sa inumin (If there’s no water coming out in the faucet because of a water interruption, some of us will not be able to drink),” Poe said.

The senator authored Senate Bill No. 102 seeking to create a Department of Water Resources to put in place robust policies to address the country’s water woes.

A priority measure of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the measure envisions the agency to lead and consolidate whole-of-society efforts for the comprehensive and integrated development and management of water resources in the country. (PNA)