It’s happening.
Despite protests from environmentalists and human rights groups, the China-funded Kaliwa Dam project will be pushing through, the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) told reporters yesterday.
MWSS Administrator Reynaldo Velasco said that the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) has approved the project, ABS-CBN News reported.
Talks of continuing the Kaliwa Dam project in Infanta, Quezon arose again last week after several government officials suggested it as a solution to the ongoing water interruptions in Metro Manila.
The interruptions were established by provider Manila Water in the eastern part of the metro as a way of rationing what they said is a limited water supply. Maynilad, which supplies water for the western part of the Metro Manila, do not have the same water interruptions.
Manila Water said the low water supply was due to the drought, while MWSS said it was due to higher demand. However, others have alleged that the government is purposely limiting it, something the MWSS has denied.
Velasco told reporters yesterday that the construction of the Kaliwa Dam could begin in July or August this year, despite controversies surrounding it, The Philippine Daily Inquirer reported. He said they are just waiting for the engineering design for the project.
Environmentalists, non-government organizations, and even the Catholic Church have long been against the project because it could allegedly displace communities and destroy the biodiversity in the area.
Many are also critical of it because 85 percent of the more than PHP12 billion (US$227.3 million) project will be funded by China through a loan, while the rest will be covered by the MWSS. Critics include Vice President Leni Robredo who said it should be a public-private partnership instead.
However, the government is pushing for the dam’s construction because it will reportedly be able to supply 600 million liters per day (mld) of water.
But there are alternative ways to source water.
Osaka-based infrastructure firm Global Utility Development Corporation (GUDC) yesterday asked the Philippine government to reconsider its proposal for what it says is a safer and cheaper option to increase Metro Manila’s water supply.
Their proposal is for the construction of a low-level water intake instead of a dam in the Kaliwa River, CNN Philippines reported. This will reportedly supply up to 550 mld of water, without harming nearby communities and the environment. The project would also be fully funded by the GUDC.
However, Velasco said that they can’t reconsider GUDC’s proposal because the China-funded project is already underway.
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