Villar pushing for Kaliwa Dam as Metro Manila water source

MANILA, Philippines — Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Mark Villar is pushing for the construction of Kaliwa Dam as a source of water that would stabilize water supply in Metro Manila.

Villar, who joined The STAR editors in a roundtable discussion on Wednesday evening, said the problem of water concessionaires of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) was one of the important items tackled by the Cabinet during its last meeting with President Duterte.

“I think, as far as I know, we are still pushing for the Kaliwa Dam project. And I think… the concern is the provision where, for instance, the charges of income tax. If the income tax is charged to consumers,” he said.

The water facilities are not yet considered a public utility, according to the DPWH chief.

“In (Duterte’s) mind, it should be considered as a public utility. It should be treated as a public utility, where the government does have some say, should have some say on how it is operated, and not to be limited in their powers,” Villar said.

He added that the most recent Cabinet meeting with the President ended at 3 a.m.

“There were many different topics. But (water) was one of the top issues, although it’s not my expertise. But given that, the Department of Justice found out that there are some provisions in the contract (with the concessionaires) that were disadvantageous, that is why the President reacted,” Villar said, adding that the Kaliwa Dam was supposed to be the actual source of water.

“For various reasons, it was delayed. But we are pushing for it to be finished. Those concerns include, of course, the local government, the indigenous people. The water sources that were under the MWSS, that is the MWSS project, not us,” Villar said, referring to his department.

The DPWH is not a member of the board of the MWSS, according to the public works chief.

“We don’t have any presence on the board now. They will decide for the construction. We have no role. If ever it is us, we have to support through road networks, through government. But in terms of the actual projects, it was theirs. We are working on the access roads. We have a master plan for the access roads,” Villar said.

He added that he and the DPWH is not involved in the day-to-day operations of the MWSS.

“I think General Salamat is well-equipped to execute whatever policy decision that he has to make. There is already a chairman there and they are working on the problem,”

Villar said, referring to MWSS administrator Emmanuel Salamat.