Manila Water, Maynilad back new dam project

The country’s top water firms—Manila Water and Maynilad Water Services—have thrown their full support behind the New Centennial Water Source Project-Kaliwa Dam that will provide additional 600 million liters per day (MLD) of water by 2023 to Metro Manila and its environs.

Manila Water and Maynilad  are both concessionaires of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS).

“Given the 96-percent dependence of Metro Manila on Angat Dam, we underscore the urgency of building new water sources including the already approved Kaliwa Dam project. We will continue to work with MWSS and other related agencies in updating the much needed master plan to address the future demand of the metropolis,” said Manila Water president and CEO Ferdinand de la Cruz.

De la Cruz added that Manila Water strongly supported the water security advocacy of MWSS.

For his part, Maynilad president and CEO Ramoncito Fernandez said the Kaliwa dam project was in line with government efforts to ensure water supply sustainability and reliability for Metro Manila residents.

“It is an additional raw water source that will augment the supply from Angat dam, which is currently the only major source being tapped,” Fernandez said.

“Maynilad affirms the need for developing this new water source, and is committed to support the MWSS in implementing the project,” he added.

The P12.2-billion Kaliwa Dam project in Quezon province will be funded by a P10.2-billion official development assistance from China and a P2-billion counterpart fund from the Philippine government.