Wawa Dam to boost Metro Manila’s water supply – Marcos

MANILA, Philippines — The completion of the Upper Wawa Dam in Rizal will not only augment potable water supply in Metro Manila, but will also increase the country’s resilience in the face of climate change-related disasters, President Marcos said yesterday.

Marcos led the impounding process of the dam in Rodriguez town, which is expected to increase water supply in the National Capital Region and nearby areas from 80 to 438 million liters per day by the end of 2025.

The Upper Wawa Dam is the biggest water source to be built in the country in over 50 years, next to the Angat Dam in Bulacan.

“The Upper Wawa Dam is a groundbreaking achievement not only in providing a basic need (to) millions of Filipinos, but also in easing concerns on climate change-related challenges, such as we have just gone through with the El Niño,” the President said.

Marcos said the first phase of the project or the Tayabasan Weir has improved water supply in Rizal.

“The supply from the Wawa Bulk water supply project is set to increase from 80 million to 438 million liters per day once Phase 2 of the project (Upper Wawa Dam)starts operating by the end of 2025, which could increase to 710 million liters per day in the following years,” Marcos said.

These 438 to 710 million liters per day translate to supporting the water supply needs of about 2.2 to 3.5 million Filipinos being serviced by the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System, the President said.

The Upper Wawa Dam is also expected to foster climate resilience among the people by protecting communities downstream from floods and by mitigating the detrimental effects of drought, according to Marcos.

The P26.5-billion project of the government and private partners, Prime Infrastructure Capital Inc. and San Lorenzo Ruiz Builders and Developers Group, is expected to be fully operational by December next year.

Metro Manila and its surrounding areas have constantly grappled with water shortage problems in the past years, according to Marcos.

He said Angat Dam could no longer meet the water needs of around 14 million people living in the area.

Angat supplies more than 90 percent of Metro Manila’s potable water needs.