Montalban, Rizal
July 10, 2024
“Suffice it to say, 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… The Upper Wawa Dam will be the biggest water source to be built in the country in over 50 years, next to the Angat Dam,” President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. remarked as he led the impounding process of the Upper Wawa Dam (Phase 2 of the Wawa Bulk Water Supply Project) in a ceremony at Barangay San Rafael in Montalban, Rizal.
In his speech, the President commended Prime Infrastructure Capital and its joint venture with WawaJVCO, as well as the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS), for completing Phase 2 of the Wawa Bulk Water Supply Project with remarkable speed despite the COVID-19 pandemic slowing down the progress of projects and industries at the time it was being built.
He emphasized that the Upper Wawa Dam is a groundbreaking achievement, not only in providing a basic need to millions of Filipinos, but in addressing concerns about climate change related challenges, flooding protection and mitigating the detrimental effects of drought in the country.
“The water supply from the Wawa Bulk Water Supply Project is set to increase from 80 million today to 438 million liters per day once Phase 2 of the Project or the Upper Wawa Dam starts its operations by the end of 2025, which could increase to 710 million liters per day in the following years,” the President stated, citing that the Project is expected to provide water supply needs to 700,000 households or approximately 3.5 million Filipinos in the MWSS service area.
In addition, President Marcos Jr. highlighted that the Upper Wawa Dam complements other projects being undertaken by the national government across the country, which aim to provide reliable and potable water supply, especially in the countryside and far-flung areas.
“I now ask the Prime Infra, and its joint venture WawaJVCo to continue collaborating with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources [DENR]. Prioritize watershed protection in the Upper Wawa Dam as well as the reforestation and biodiversity preservation in the Upper Marikina River Basin Protected Landscape,” he continued.
Furthermore, he urged all stakeholders, particularly those operating other dams nationwide, to maximize the use of facilities that integrate other uses for captured water, such as generating renewable energy.
“I likewise call upon every Filipino to amplify our efforts to conserve the country’s water resources. Let us remember that the stewardship of these resources is not just a task but a shared responsibility,” he added.
Moreover, the Chief Executive assured the Filipino people that his Administration remains firm in its resolve to pursue more transformative endeavors 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.… Let us not only consider this as a milestone in our nation’s development but also a symbol of our collective determination to lead better lives and shape a more promising Bagong Pilipinas for the Filipino people,” President Marcos Jr. concluded in his speech.
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