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President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday, July 10, led the impounding process ceremony of Upper Wawa Dam, signifying the next phase for the completion of a critical water infrastructure developed by Prime Infra-led WawaJVCo.

“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,” President Marcos said.

The President highlighted how the Upper Wawa Dam addresses the need for a new water source to ensure water security in Metro Manila and surrounding areas, given that the existing Angat Dam—now over 50 years old—can no longer meet the needs of about 14 million residents.

“It is commendable that it was completed with remarkable speed despite the COVID-19 pandemic which slowed down the progress of projects and industries during the time that this was being built. Having been accomplished a year ahead of schedule, this monumental development has set a new standard for infrastructure projects of similar magnitude in terms of scale and impact,” said Marcos.

“I recognize Prime Infrastructure Capital, its joint venture, WawaJVCo, and the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) for your continuing commitment to building critical infrastructure systems that will address the needs of our people and of our country. Not only are these projects truly representative of what the government is working on to achieve infrastructure resilience, but this initiative also brings the most effective practices on environmental preservation,” he said.

Marcos said the Upper Wawa Dam aligns with other groundbreaking projects across the country that help provide dependable water supply, especially in far-flung areas.

“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,” he said.

Marcos also urged Prime Infra and WawaJVCo to maintain their collaboration with Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), focusing on projects that improve watershed protection, reforestation, and biodiversity preservation in the Upper Marikina River Basin Protected Landscape.

“Continue implementing these innovative designs and practices in your initiatives so that you can uphold the delicate balance of our ecosystem and continue to reinforce our nation’s resilience against ecological adversities,” Marcos said.

The Upper Wawa Dam is the second phase of the Wawa Bulk Water Supply Project, and will provide a yearlong water supply capacity of up to 710 million liters per day, benefitting over 700,000 households or 3.5 million Filipinos. The first phase of the Tayabasan Weir has been operational since October 2022.

The dam features a 450-hectare reservoir which is about twice the size of Bonifacio Global City. The reservoir can also store up to 120 million cubic meters of water, which makes it essential in the project’s augmentation of water supply.

“We started the Wawa Bulk Water Supply Project in 2019 at the height of the water crisis, which highlighted the urgent need for an additional source of water supply. It gives me great pleasure that this project was built in record time considering its scale and magnitude, and despite the challenges posed by the pandemic,” said Prime Infra President and CEO Guillaume Lucci.

“The closing of the bottom outlet to start the final impoundment, or filling up of the reservoir, marks a milestone in our project delivery. It ushers the next phase of Prime Infra and WawaJVCo’s Upper Wawa Dam project,” Lucci said of the activity.

Besides addressing water security, the bulk water supply project will be combined with another Prime Infra-led large-scale infrastructure, the 600-megawatt Wawa Pumped Storage Power Project. This synergy will ensure grid stability in support of the government’s agenda in accelerating the transition to renewable energy, making the project a “unique water supply-renewable energy storage industrial complex,” said Lucci.

MWSS Administrator Leonor Cleofas meanwhile cited the Upper Wawa Dam’s crucial role in the implementation of the agency’s water security roadmap.

According to Cleofas, the project is integral to the MWSS’ medium-term plan aimed at ensuring a stable water supply. She recognized the importance of the government’s partnership with the private sector, such as Prime Infra’s support in advancing the country’s development agenda.

“We are proud to say that the Upper Wawa Dam is a key component of MWSS’ Water Security Pillars and is part of MWSS’ medium-term water source programs,” she said.

“We acknowledge the support of our private partners, particularly our East Zone Concessionaire Manila Water and our partners from the WawaJVCo and Prime Infra, under the leadership of Chairperson Mr. Enrique K. Razon Jr…As a country dedicated to economic growth and innovation, we leverage the strengths of both the government and private sector for water infrastructure development,” Cleofas said.

The Upper Wawa Dam will start commercial operations by the end of 2025.

Present during the ceremony were Special Assistant to the President Secretary Antonio Lagdameo Jr., Environment Secretary Ma. Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga, National Economic and Development Authority Secretary Arsenio Balisacan, Finance Secretary Ralph Recto, Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economics Secretary Frederick Go, MWSS Chairman Elipido Vega, National Commission on Indigenous Peoples Chairperson Jennifer Sibuglas, Rizal Governor Nina Ynares, and congressmen, mayors and barangay captains of the project’s host communities.

Also in attendance were WawaJVCo President Melvin John Tan, Manila Water President and CEO Jocot de Dios and Chief Regulatory Officer Donato Almeda, San Lorenzo Builders and Developers Group (SLRB) Chairman Oscar Violago and President Anthony AJ Violago.