MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte would likely take over the operations of water concessionaires as a water crisis seems imminent in Metro Manila and nearby provinces, Malacañang said Tuesday.

“Yes, he said, ‘I will assume control’,” presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo quoted Duterte as saying.

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“That means government takeover,” he added in a Palace briefing when asked about the administration’s possible action should a water crisis in the National Capital Region and its surrounding areas occurs.

“To solve the crisis because he said if you cannot solve the crisis then I will do it for you,” Panelo further said.

Panelo, who is also Duterte’s chief legal counsel, said the President’s takeover plan is Constitutional.

“The legal basis is always when, you know the provision of the Constitution is very clear, the President’s primary duty as the head of state of the government is to serve and to protect the people,” he said.

“So in any situation arising that will endanger, imperil the safety of the people, then the President has to take over,” he also said.

Asked about when will the President make the decision, Panelo said: “That’s his call if he thinks there’s now a need for that, then he will do it.”

Pressed about circumstances that would warrant a takeover, he added: “Eh kung grabe na ang water crisis, kung wala na tayong tubig na naiinom. ‘Di ba sabi niya kagabi, ‘I will not allow people not drinking water’.”

(If the water crisis is serious; if we no longer have water to drink. He said last night, ‘I will not allow people not drinking water.’).

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Additionally, Panelo said the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System could face charges if found to be in violation of the law.

“If they have violated the law, they will be prosecuted,” he noted, even saying that a revamp is also possible.

Panelo likewise said Duterte could also declare a national emergency amid the looming water crisis.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) earlier said that a water crisis is probable because the Angat Dam water level continues to recede. /kga

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