President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. directed dam operators nationwide to optimize their facilities for both water provision and renewable energy generation.
Speaking at the Wawa Bulk Water Supply Project impounding ceremony on Wednesday, the President emphasized the importance of multi-purpose dams to meet growing water demands and support sustainability.
“I also call on our stakeholders, particularly those operating other dams nationwide, to maximize the use of your facilities by integrating other uses for the captured water, such as for the generation of renewable energy,” Mr. Marcos said.
“Let us work together in this endeavor to create a more sustainable and energy-efficient future for our nation,” he added.
He stressed the need for dams to support the public’s various needs such as potable water, irrigation, power generation, and flood control.
President Marcos also called for public efforts to conserve water resources, highlighting that it is a shared responsibility.
“We will continue to address water security challenges to ensure that every Filipino has access to sufficient and clean water. At the end of the day, water remains at the core, not only for human survival but also for national development Filipinos,” the chief executive said.
President Marcos also highlighted the significance of the project, completed ahead of schedule despite the COVID-19 pandemic, as a major infrastructure achievement.
“It is commendable that it was completed with remarkable speed despite the COVID-19 pandemic which slowed down the progress of projects and industries during the time that this was being built,” he noted.
Construction of the dam component was completed on March 30, with initial water impounding beginning May 30, 2024.
The PHP26.5 billion Public-Private Partnership with Prime Infrastructure Capital, Inc. and San Lorenzo Ruiz Builders and Developers Group is slated for full operation by December 2025.
Upon completion, the dam will boost the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) supply from 80 million liters per day (MLD) to 438 MLD, potentially reaching 710 MLD.
This increase will support 2.2 to 3.5 million consumers within the MWSS service area.
Additional project components, including a pump station, access tunnel, and conveyance pipeline were 69.68 percent complete as of May 31, 2024.
The Wawa Dam is the largest water source built in the country in over 50 years, second only to the Angat Dam.
