THE Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) has started the consultation process for the P13.43-billion New Centennial Water Source, the Kaliwa Dam project.
Last Friday MSWSS Administrator Reynaldo V. Velasco held a dialogue with the project’s stakeholders to address the latter’s concerns on environmental impact and resettlement, among other issues.
At least 60 leaders representing people’s organizations and non-governmental organizations based in the three towns of Quezon that will be affected by the multibillion-dam project took part in the consultation process held at the MWSS cafeteria.
In a statement, Velasco lauded the participants for taking time to attend the meeting.
“I am glad we are all here and you responded to our invitation because I think there is really a need to understand the urgency of the flagship water project under President Duterte who made possible the funding for the project through a bilateral agreement with Chinese President Xi Jing Pin in October 2016 in a visit to China,” he said.
Stressing it took 30 years for the project to finally take off, Velasco said the project is not only an additional 650 million liters per day (MLD) water-source project for Metro Manila to augment the 4,000 MLD from Angat Dam, but will also contribute to the development of the municipalities near the project site.
“I am very certain this Kaliwa Dam project will benefit the local government units around the project area notably Infanta and General Nakar,” he said.
New Centennial Water Source Project Manager. Jose Alfredo B. Escoto Jr. and MWSS Deputy Administrator for Engineering and Operations Leonor C. Cleofas made a presentation about the project and later tackled the issues and concerns relative to its construction.
Cleofas said an interagency cooperation is necessary for the realization of the project. MWSS is seeking the cooperation and support of the Department of Public Works and Highways for access road construction and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in connection with the Environmental Compliance Certificate. The project will also require permits from LGUs and a special permit from the Protected Areas Management Board (PAMB); National Commission on Indigenous People, Department of Finance, National Economic and Development Authority and National Irrigation Administration.
Of the estimated P13. 43-billion construction cost of the project, 85 percent will be funded by the official development assistance from China amounting to P10.2 billion, while 15 percent will be shouldered by MWSS.
Velasco said three Chinese firms have been prequalified to bid in the construction of the Kaliwa Dam: China Energy Engineering Co. Ltd., Power China Ltd. and the consortium of Guandung Foreign Construction Co. Ltd. and Guandong Yuantian Engineering Co. Ltd. nominated by the China Ministry of Commerce.
On March 26 the three Chinese contractors secured the bidding documents. They also conducted site visitations on April 12 and April 13, and attended a prebid conference held on April 16 when questions from the contractors were addressed by the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC).
Bids are scheduled to be submitted on May 11 while contract award and signing is slated for August 2018.
By early-September 2018, Notice to Proceed is targeted to be issued.
By December 31 the ECC, PAMB clearance and FPIC (Free and Prior Informed Consent) Process for the project is expected to be secured by the MWSS prior to the start of the construction.
Velasco said the Kaliwa Dam is poised to become a medium-term water source for Metro Manila, complementing the main water source, Angat Dam.
Located at Barangay Pagsangahan, General Nakar, Quezon, and in Infanta, Quezon, Kaliwa is expected to deliver an additional 600 MLD to the existing 4,123 MLD. The dam towers at 62 meters in height and covers a reservoir area of 113 hectares and watershed area of 9,700 hectares.
The project involves the construction of a 27.7-kilometer raw water conveyance tunnel with a design capacity of 2,400 MLD.