President Rodrigo Duterte. (Photo from the Presidential Communications Operations Operations Office)
MANILA, Philippines — Despite opposition from various groups, President Rodrigo Duterte pushed for the construction of the China-funded Kaliwa Dam and the Razon-led Wawa Dam.
In a speech in during the 60th founding anniversary of the Cor Jesu College in Digos City, Duterte said the government would relocate the residents who would be affected by the construction.
While he said that “all the natives” are “trying to delay the project,” he could give them “a little bit of an elbow room to move” because “we need water.”
“Manila without Wawa and Kaliwa Dam, this will be the last resort to have water for Manila. I will order them to go ahead and we will pay the natives and we will relocate them,” he said.
He again warned the courts not to issue a temporary restraining order (TRO) and told government agencies to ignore it if ever one has ever been issued.
“But for the courts to issue itong mga TRO, sabi ko nga, do not take it to the point na sabihin ko ‘ignore them,’” he
added.
The Wawa Dam, which would be constructed in Rizal, is a joint venture between Prime Infra of tycoon Enrique Razon and businessman Oscar Violago’s San Lorenzo Ruiz Builders Group (SLRB).
The Kaliwa Dam in Quezon Province, on the other hand, would be funded by China loans.