MANILA (UPDATED) -- President Rodrigo Duterte held a closed-door meeting with officials of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) on Tuesday night, where he berated the heads of the agency over the ongoing water crisis.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the President told the officials to "shape up or ship out."

"All they care about is get profit from the water of the people," he said, quoting Duterte.

Panelo said the President threatened to fire MWSS officials and terminate the concessionaires’ contracts.

Duterte said the officials knew the problem leading to the water shortage, but reportedly didn't resolve to prevent it.

Panelo said the meeting lasted for 40 minutes in which MWSS officials were asked to submit a report before April 7.

Last week, Duterte ordered the MWSS to direct Manila Water and Maynilad Water Services to release water from Angat Dam. 

The crisis has affected residents of Metro Manila's east zone serviced by Manila Water, resulting in long queues for water rations and the disruption of some businesses. -- With a report from Joyce Balancio, ABS-CBN News