Apart from the water shortage that is gripping some areas of the metropolis, the government's other concern is the possible outbreak of diseases because of enterprising individuals who puncture main water lines.

Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson, former Maynilad president, said he has received reports that “some enterprising people have started to tap water directly by puncturing some of the pipelines lines” which, he said, would only result in water contamination.

However, the government is now moving to address this concern, Singson said.

“Now, part of the work the two concessionaires (Maynilad and Manila Water) are doing are getting in touch with health officials so that they can together mobilize in the affected areas just to avoid any outbreak of any ailment as a result of the nowater situation,” Singson said in a press briefing in Malacañang.

The two water concessionaires will also field water trucks to clean public facilities such as hospitals and schools during off-peak hours.

Incidents about the puncturing of water lines have been reported as lines for water rationing have been marred by “singitan” and “palakasan.”

To address this, mayors in severely affected areas in the metropolis met in Malacañang on Thursday to see to it that peace and order are maintained in water stations.

Singson said they have also asked for “warm bodies” from the Department of National Defense (DND) to “prevent lines for water from getting unruly.”

He also quickly dismissed incidents of riot which may stem from the water shortage.

“I don't think so, that's why we anticipated and asked for warm bodies to put order… That's precisely why I talked to DND Sec. (Voltaire) Gazmin and he has agreed to this. In the past, we used to tap the NDCC (National Disaster Coordinating Council). If your recall when we started to make emergency repairs of busted pipes, we have to ask for help from DND,” he said.

On the other hand, Singson batted for a water supply sector roadmap nationwide to address the perennial problem on water shortage as well as to provide access to potable water to everyone and not only in Metro Manila.

“I fully believe that the best program to poverty alleviation is giving everyone access to potable water because it is the poor who are severely exploited,” Singson said, noting that the practice of the poor of buying water by pail is expensive.

To mitigate the effects of the water shortage, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda appealed for help from the private sector by donating bottled water or sponsor water trucks “in the spirit of volunteerism.”

“It's a government-private sector partnership,” Lacierda said.