Storm with Ondoy's strength can solve Mindanao's water, power shortage

A storm with the magnitude of Ondoy — which submerged three-fourths of Metro Manila — will immediately solve Mindanao’s water and power shortages, Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) chief Prospero Pichay Jr. said on Tuesday. “Isang Ondoy lang iyan (It will just take one Ondoy)," Pichay said, referring to the storm which inundated Luzon, killed 337 persons, and damaged P10.45 billion worth of crops and infrastructure. “One day, if not three to four days," he added, referring to the amount of rainfall needed. “[If that happens], nature will be able to address the calamity in Mindanao." Pichay also expressed hope that a low pressure area near Mindanao will pass by the island and bring large amounts of rainfall although not as much as those brought by Ondoy. However, the website of the government weather bureau — the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services — showed a cloudless satellite picture of the Philippines. Extreme northern Luzon is currently experiencing a cold front while strong northeasterly to easterly winds are flowing in Luzon, Visayas and eastern Mindanao. Last March 12, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo issued Proclamation 2022. Besides placing Mindanao under a state of calamity, the declaration also allowed the use of calamity funds of local government units, which are expected to alleviate 11-hour blackouts in the country’s second largest island. Mindanao requires an additional 700 megawatts of electricity. Currently, Lanao Lake, which powers the Agus hydroelectric complex, needs to be desilted so that water flow could provide more electricity. The Agus 2 plant is only producing 100 mWs of electricity, instead of its capacity of 800 to 900 mWs. When water levels are low, especially during El Niño, there will definitely be a lot of shortage, he said. In the meantime, to solve Metro Manila’s water issues, Pichay proposed drilling deep wells along Laguna de Bay to provide an alternative when Angat Dam — the capital’s main water source — reach critical lows. Water from Laguna de Bay is expected to be clean because it would be purified when it passes through the soil, he said. “Mindanao, even without El Niño is already in a critical stage. The Visayas does not have much problem. Luzon, in the next five years if you do not address, will also have the same problem," he said. - GMANews.TV