Kaliwa Dam set to finish construction by end of Marcos term

The Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) said the government is making progress on the construction of the Kaliwa Dam that is expected to be completed before President Marcos concludes his term.

MWSS Administrator Leonor C. Cleofas told reporters that the Kaliwa Dam Project which stretches out to Antipolo, Rizal, and Quezon is currently 30 percent complete despite delays in the previous years.

“It’s difficult to construct a massive infrastructure for the concessionaires to have short to medium water sources,” Cleofas said. “[Also,] it took us eight years to secure permits and clearances.”

Contractors have mobilized on the site, while there are about 1.5 kilometers of tunnel-boring under the Sierra Madre.

According to MWSS, Kaliwa Dam will be completed in approximately three and a half years, as commissioning is expected around the second quarter of 2028. Constructions are hoped to be finished before the end of President Marcos’ term.

The dam project is expected to solve the rising demand for water in Metro Manila, Rizal, and Quezon, as they have previously been estimated to benefit about 17.46 million people or 3.49 million households within the area.

The Kaliwa Dam was also pursued in order to minimize reliance on the Angat Dam.

The Angat’s elevation continues to go down by 200 meters, which is only 40 meters away from critical level. — Gabriell Christel Galang

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