Malacañang assured the public that the Php 12.2-billion New Centennial Water Source-Kaliwa Dam Project (NCWS-KDP) will push through despite delays and opposition from residents in affected communities.
Speaking at a press conference in Singapore on Friday, October 9, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the government remains committed to completing the project, which aims to strengthen the water supply in Metro Manila.
“Tuloy pa rin po ito. Tuloy pa rin po ito at ipapatuloy po ito sa tulong na rin po ng Maynilad Water Services Inc at Maynilad Water Company,” Castro said.
She acknowledged that several issues remain unresolved, particularly concerns raised by residents opposing the dam’s construction.
Castro emphasized that these matters must be addressed through appropriate legal procedures before the project can fully move forward.
“Marami lang po kasi silang mga issue o mga dapat na iresolba tulad nung mga of course ‘yung mga tumututol na nakatira sa nasabing lugar. At kailangang maayos sa legal na pamamaraan,” she said.
Despite the setbacks, Castro maintained that the government would continue implementing the project while working to resolve outstanding concerns.
“Pero patuloy pa rin po ang pagsasagawa nito. So, walang dapat alalahanin. Nagkaroon man ng kaunting delay dahil nga po sa kailangang ayusin pa ‘yung ibang mga factor,” she added.
The Kaliwa Dam project, managed by the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS), is designed to provide an additional 600 million liters of water daily to Metro Manila to help address increasing demand.
The project, located in the Sierra Madre mountain range in Quezon province, is partially financed through an Official Development Assistance loan from China.
However, its implementation has faced repeated delays involving permit requirements, land acquisition, financing concerns, and opposition from affected communities.
The government has maintained that the project is an important component of efforts to secure a more reliable water supply for Metro Manila and surrounding areas.
Castro reiterated that the administration intends to proceed with construction while ensuring that legal and other outstanding issues are properly addressed.
