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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider PBBM urges Wawa Dam developers: Prioritize watershed protection, reforestation

PBBM urges Wawa Dam developers: Prioritize watershed protection, reforestation

Published Jul 10, 2024 03:17 am

President Marcos has urged the developers working on the completion of the Upper Wawa Dam to continue collaborating with the government in prioritizing watershed protection and reforestation.

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President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. (RTVM Screenshot)

While Marcos recognized the progress that has been made at the Upper Wawa Dam amid the threats of the pandemic and El Niño, he called on the stakeholders to also pay attention to the biodiversity preservation Upper Marikina River Basin Protected Landscape.

"Without a doubt, the progress that we have made here at the Upper Wawa Dam is a significant stride towards our goal of social and economic transformation," Marcos said in his speech during the impounding process of the Upper Wawa Dam (Phase 2 of the Wawa Bulk Water Supply Project)in Barangay San Rafael, Montalban, Rizal on Wednesday, July 10.

"I now ask the Prime Infra, and its joint venture WawaJVCo to continue collaborating with the DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources). Prioritize watershed protection in the Upper Wawa Dam as well as the reforestation and biodiversity preservation in the Upper Marikina River Basin Protected Landscape," he added.

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

He further said that the water supply from the Wawa Bulk Water Supply Project is set to increase from 80 million today to 438 million liters per day once Phase 2 of the Project or the Upper Wawa Dam starts its operations at the end of 2025, which could increase to 710 million liters per day in the following years.

These 438 to 710 million liters per day translate to supporting the water supply needs of about 2.2 to 3.5 million Filipinos in the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) service area.

"This dam will also foster climate resilience amongst our people by protecting our communities downstream from flooding and by mitigating the detrimental effects of drought," he said.

Marcos stressed the need to build more multi-purpose dams to ensure water supply not only for drinking but also for irrigation, power generation, flood control, and aquaculture.

He also called on Filipinos to amplify efforts to conserve water resources as he vowed that the administration will continue to address water security challenges to ensure 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. Water is life. Water is life for human beings. Water is life for our economy. Water is life," he said.

Related Tags

reforestation BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION President Marcos Upper Wawa Dam
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