MWSS raises hope for Kaliwa Dam’s construction
By Madelaine B. Miraflor
The Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) is hoping to finally issue the ‘notice’ to proceed’ for the construction of the P12-billion Kaliwa Dam after years of delay.
(MWSS / MANILA BULLETIN)
“We just need the assistance of NCIP [National Commission on Indigenous Peoples] and DENR [Department of Environment and Natural Resources] to fast-track the necessary clearances,”
In a text exchange, MWSS Administrator Emmanuel Salamat has remained hopeful that the actual construction of the controversial project, which involves the construction of a massive dam within the provinces of Quezon and Rizal, will start soon.
This, according to him, will happen “with all the support of concerned agencies.”
“We are exerting our best efforts to complete the FPIC [Free Prior and Informed Consent] process to catch up with the timeline before we can issue the notice to proceed to start the construction,” Salamat said.
“We just need the assistance of NCIP [National Commission on Indigenous Peoples] and DENR [Department of Environment and Natural Resources] to fast-track the necessary clearances,” he added.
The Kaliwa Dam project, considered as the government’s long-term solution to Metro Manila’s water woes, is a joint venture of MWSS and China Energy Engineering Corporation (CEEC) and will have the capacity to treat as much as 600 million liters of water per day (mld).
The project will be constructed by CEEC through an Official Development Assistance (ODA) deal between Philippines and China.
Right now, Metro Manila is still 97 percent dependent on the 53-year old Angat Dam.
The FPIC application process for Kaliwa Dam project started in 2018, but was faced with many delays primarily due to environmental concerns expressed by several groups and communities toward the project.
Source: Manila Bulletin