The Climate Change Commission (CCC) said the prevailing water crisis must serve as a serious wake-up call to the public about the importance of water conservation. CCC Vice Chairman Heherson Alvarez said Thursday the water shortage must compel the public to intensify efforts to conserve water and protect the country's river basins. The public must become more conscious about how they can avoid wasting water, he added. “Failure to address global warming and climate change could lead to more horrible water problems like flash floods, drought and water supply shortage for domestic use,” Alvarez pointed out. “We should conserve water in any way that we can,” Alvarez also said. The greater part of Metro Manila is currently experiencing water supply shortage as Angat Dam's water level critically fell 22.21 meters below the 180 meters. Many areas now depend on water rationing, as water utility companies implement scheduled water service interruptions that affect not only households but businesses as well. Alvarez, a former senator and secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), said management for river basin system including watersheds, forests, mangroves and rivers should be strengthened to mitigate the impacts of climate change. Citing science findings, Alvarez said a forest is not only a fallback for floods or drought but is also considered a “carbon sink,” a natural reservoir that can be a defense against climate change.
