PRESIDENT Marcos Jr. yesterday asked dam operators to maximize their facilities not only in ensuring the provision of a steady water supply but also in harnessing captured water for other purposes such as generating renewable energy.
The President, at the impounding process ceremony of the Upper Wawa Dam in Rodriguez in Rizal, urged the private sector to continue working with the government in creating a more sustainable and energy-efficient future for the country.
Marcos said more multi-purpose dams are needed to address the increasing demand for water not just for drinking but also for irrigation, power generation, flood control, aquaculture, “and hopefully other technologies that we may engage in the future.”
He also urged the public to conserve the country’s water resources, as he affirmed his administration’s commitment to address water security woes in the country.
“Rest assured that this Administration remains firm in its resolve to pursue a more transformative endeavor that will champion the optimal health and growth of Filipinos across the country. We will continue to address water security challenges to ensure that every Filipino has access to sufficient and clean water,” he said.
The President led the ceremony for the impounding process of Upper Wawa Dam which is expected to result in the increase in water supply in Metro Manila and the surrounding provinces.
The Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) said the dam is expected to increase water supply from 80 million liters to 438 million liters per day by the end of 2025, and to 710 million liters per day in the succeeding years which would support the water supply needs of 2.2 to 3.5 million Filipinos in its service area.
Marcos said the Angat Dam, which is the primary source of water supply in Metro Manila and nearby provinces, could no longer meet the needs of around 14 million residents.
“We need a new source of water to ensure the water security of Metro Manila and surrounding areas now and in the decades to come. And that is why we are all very happy to be here today to lead the impounding process ceremony of the Upper Wawa Dam. This significant milestone marks the completion of the construction of the dam component of Phase 2 of the Wawa Bulk Water Supply Project,” he said.
The President said apart from the water supply, the Upper Wawa Dam will also foster climate resilience among Filipinos by protecting communities downstream from flooding and by mitigating the detrimental effects of drought.
The P26.5 billion project includes the construction of the 85-meter-high and 438.5-meter-long roller compacted concrete Upper Wawa Dam in Barangay San Rafael in Rodriguez.
Marcos lauded the completion of the project a year ahead of schedule, and amid the recent coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
Construction works for the project component were completed on March 30 this year, while its initial water impounding started on May 30, 2024. It is expected to be fully completed and operational by December 2025.
The project is led by Prime Infrastructure Capital and its partner Wawa JVCo, San Lorenzo Ruiz Builders and Developers Group and the MWSS.
