Palace: Duterte can take over water companies in emergency situation

President Rodrigo Duterte can take over the operations of public utilities in an emergency situation, Malacañang said Tuesday in the face of a looming water supply shortage in Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

Duterte on Monday floated the idea of using “extraordinary powers” to address the chronic water shortages in the capital.

The President made the remark as opposition to China-backed Kaliwa Dam project in Quezon province mounted over environmental concerns.

Asked if the President was thinking of a government takeover of water concessionaires, Panelo said: “Yes. He said ‘I will assume control’, so that means government takeover.”

Panelo cited Section 17, Article XII of the 1987 Constitution which provides that the state, in times of national emergency may “temporarily take over or direct the operation of any privately-owned public utility or business affected with public interest.”

“The provision of the Constitution is very clear. The President’s primary duty as head of state is to serve and to protect the people. Any situation arising that will endanger or imperil the safety of the people then the President has to take over,” Panelo noted at a news conference.

“If he thinks there is now need for that then he will do it.”

Panelo earlier said Duterte may take “drastic action” after Maynilad Water Services Inc. and Manila Water Company Inc. began rotational service interruptions last week citing the water level in Angat Dam.

Manila Water said the supply cuts were necessary to ensure that the “still-limited raw water supply” will last even beyond the summer of 2020 since Angat Dam—Metro Manila’s primary source of potable water—may not reach its ideal 212-meter level by the end of the year.

The Angat reservoir accounts for about 90% of Metro Manila’s raw water requirement through the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System—the government’s regulatory arm in charge of the concessionaires Maynilad and Manila Water.

Angat also irrigates an estimated 28,000 hectares of farmland in the provinces of Bulacan and Pampanga. —VDS, GMA News