Create task force to manage water, power shortage - Villar

Senate President Manny Villar called for the creation of a task force to effectively manage the current water and power shortage which has led to the implementation of two-hour rolling power interruptions in Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

The task force, which the Senate President referred to as 'Task Force Tagtuyot (dry spell),' should provide a comprehensive and extensive management of the situation, ensuring proper and immediate coordination among all concerned departments and agencies, Villar said.

It should be composed of officials from the Department of Energy, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Agriculture, Department of Health and other appropriate agencies, he added.

Regional and national hotlines should also be put in place as a corollary measure to ensure prompt attention to problems and concerns related to the shortage, Villar further stressed.

"In the midst of the current situation, it is crucial to effectively manage and handle all accompanying problems, taking preventive and alleviatory measures with a macro-view and with the cooperation of all concerned," said Villar.

"This is the time to pool all resources of government and draw assistance from the private sector and all our citizens through the task force," Villar said.

The problem is immediate and we should act accordingly, the Senate President stressed.

A long-term master plan that will address the recurrence of the problem should likewise be formulated and readied," he said.