Finance Secretary Ralph G. Recto has joined President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. in a site visit at the Public-Private Partnership (PPP)-led Upper Wawa Dam project—the biggest water source project in the country in over 50 years that will ensure sustainable access to clean water for millions of Filipinos in Metro Manila and Rizal.

“This milestone is another testament to the great teamwork between the government and the private sector in accelerating the delivery of urgent infrastructure projects nationwide,” Finance Secretary Ralph G. Recto said after the impounding process ceremony of the Upper Wawa Dam in Barangay San Rafael, Montalban, Rizal, on July 10, 2024.

“Through this project, we will not only ensure water security for generations of Filipinos but also create job opportunities for the local communities. Rest assured, the Department of Finance will continue to work hand in hand with the private sector to foster an enabling environment where critical and sustainable projects like these can thrive,” he added.

The Upper Wawa Dam or the second phase of the Wawa Bulk Water Supply Project involves the construction of an 85-meter roller-compacted concrete dam that will deliver an annual water supply capacity of 438 million liters per day.

Once operational by the end of 2025, this will provide sustainable water to about 2.2 million to 3.5 million Filipinos in greater Metro Manila and Rizal.

The dam features a 450-hectare reservoir which is about twice the size of Bonifacio Global City and can store up to 120 million cubic meters of water.

It also has a flood control component, helping mitigate the flooding in the downstream areas and localities of the Marikina River.

The first phase or the 25-meter high Tayabasan Wei dam was already completed in October 2022 and is now delivering an initial 80 million liters per day of water supply.

Overall, the Wawa Bulk Water Supply Project can increase water supply service to up to 710 million liters per day in the succeeding years.

The PPP project is being led by Prime Infrastructure Capital, Inc. and San Lorenzo Ruiz Builders and Developers Group through their joint venture—Wawa JVCo, Inc.

Prime Infrastructure Capital, Inc. is Enrique Razon, Jr.’s infrastructure arm focused on building assets that support the most urgent sustainability priorities of the country such as energy, access to clean water, and waste management, among others.

Aside from addressing water security, the bulk water supply project will be combined with another Prime Infra-led 600-megawatt Wawa Pumped Storage Power Project, making it a unique water supply-renewable energy storage industrial complex.

Together with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), WawaJVCo is also implementing a watershed management plan that involves reforestation activities around the site of the Wawa Bulk Water Supply Project covering 1,800 hectares.

The project is in line with the Marcos, Jr. administration’s goal of providing universal access to safe, affordable, and sustainable water supply for Filipinos while strengthening the country’s climate resilience.

Also joining the President and the Finance Chief during the visit were Special Assistant to the President Secretary Antonio Lagdameo Jr.; Office of the Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs (OSAPIEA) Secretary Frederick Go; Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga; National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary Arsenio Balisacan; and Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) Chairman Elpidio Vega.

Also present were 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 Prime Infra President and CEO Guillaume Lucci; WawaJVCo President Melvin John Tan; Manila Water President and CEO Jocot de Dios and Chief Regulatory Officer Donato Almeda; and San Lorenzo Builders and Developers Group (SLRB) Chairman Oscar Violago and President Anthony AJ Violago.