Wallace Business Forum: Power and Water Update by Grace C. Sorongon
Attending Wallace Business Forum’s power and water update (hot topics these days) last July 30, 2019, gave me a better view of the challenges our government is currently facing.
Our country’s power and water issues are nothing new — these have been problems for years. Therefore, addressing these problems would require a purposive plan and the willpower to implement various solutions. Why? The supposed power solutions would require a lot of funds for building more power plants; we also need to obtain power from alternative sources. I understand that our power plants are old and are, therefore, less reliable, needing more downtime for maintenance and check-ups. Given this situation, maintaining them would cost more money and will eventually lead to higher electricity costs. Reports have shown that the Philippines has the highest electricity cost in Asia. In addition to this, constructing new power plants usually takes three to four years. Hence, immediate solutions to our electricity woes is nowhere in sight.
In the meantime, what can we do as consumers? We can start by understanding how we consume electricity. In my opinion, the solutions go beyond building new plants and looking for new power sources — it involves changing the lifestyles and habits of consumers. It involves constructing houses with more ventilation and, of course, information campaigns on electricity consumption and management. I am sure that ordinary households can benefit from the money they can save once they become more conscious of their own practices.
Let’s move on to the matter of water. As we all know, we encountered water shortages last summer. Despite the warnings given by the two concessionaires (Manila Water and Maynilad), it seemed that Metro Manila consumers were not mindful enough. Of course, we cry “water” once we run out of water for cooking, drinking, bathing, washing, and flushing the toilet.
Again, Metro Manila’s water shortage problem is not something new — it has been this way for decades. For those who are not aware, Angat Dam is the Metro Manila’s main water source, providing 96% of supply; 3% comes from Laguna Lake, and the remaining 1% from deep wells. I am not a water expert, but as a consumer, I can say that there really is a need to find alternative sources of water for Metro Manila.
Attending the forum gave me a clearer view of how much effort the government has already exerted — though it would still seem that these efforts are not enough. For instance, the privatization of water distribution in 1997 gave more mileage to Angat Dam’s water infrastructure. The two concessionaires made efforts to reduce system losses by changing ageing water pipes and deliver better-quality water. I also understand that our water officials are doing their best to come up with ideas for potential sources of water. Below are some details on efforts done in the past; however, no immediate success has been recorded yet.
Proposed Water Projects to Help Angat Dam
Project Name: Additional Capacity (in Million Liters per Day/MLD)
The Kaliwa Dam (The Left Dam)
The proposal for the construction of Kaliwa Dam dates back to the 1970s. It has undergone several iterations in project details over the years. The latest one, renamed New Centennial Water Source - Kaliwa Dam Project, will be funded by Chinese ODA and has the capacity to be expanded from 600 MLD to 2,400 MLD.
The Kanan Dam (The Right Dam)
Similar to Kaliwa Dam, Kanan Dam is a legacy project that dates back to the 1970s — but plans have never gone beyond feasibility studies, the latest was completed in 2003. The recent iteration of Kanan Dam splits the project into two phases. The first phase is expected to generate 1,800 MLD and can be expanded to 3,270 MLD.
The Laiban Dam
One of the most controversial dam projects ever proposed, Laiban Dam was first conceptualized in the 1960s and has undergone several iterations already. The most current version is based on the 2007 feasibility study of the World Bank, which will take 10 years to be fully implemented. Its capacity is 1,900 MLD.
Calawis-Wawa Antipolo Source System
This Manila Water project, which is expected to produce its first 80 MLD by 2021 and can be expanded to 512 MLD.
Sierra Madre Water Supply Project
Initially submitted to the MWSS in the early 2000s, this project has been rejected twice already. The latest version proposed by Manila Water is expected to be operational between 2023–2025, if approved. It can supply 750 MLD.
East Bay-Laguna Lake Project
This P15 billion project by Manila Water was not approved by MWSS in 2008 due to cost concerns; however, Manila Water believes that this is still a viable option for future demand. It’s capacity is 250 MLD.
Angat Norzagaray — Phase 2
Known as the Angat Water Supply Optimization Project (P10 billion), it would harness excess water from the Angat Dam originally allocated for hydropower. The capacity is 500–550 MLD.
Bayabas Dam
The possibility of tapping Bayabas River, one of two river systems near Angat Dam in Bulacan, first surfaced in 1995, but has never gone beyond the feasibility stage. It calls for a construction of a dam on the river to directly feed Angat Dam. Currently, water from Bayabas River flows to Bustos Dam (irrigation). MWSS announced in 2018 that it plans to revive the project. The capacity is 550 MLD.
Lower Ipo
The Ipo Dam No. 3 project will involve the construction of a dam downstream from the New Ipo Dam and upstream from the Bustos Dam. It would serve as a catchment for spillage from Angat Dam to mitigate flooding in the area. The capacity is 250 MLD.
Pampanga River Diversion Project
A proposal project in the early 2000s, it was meant to utilize the normal flow available from Bagabag River and involves the construction of diversion and intake structures. There have been no developments since its first proposal. The capacity is 1,700 MLD.
Tayabasan River Water Supply Project
First proposed in 1992, the project was submitted to MWSS for consideration in 2013 by Manila Water, but was rejected. Manila Water claims that if they were allowed to develop this project back then, the current 2019 water crisis would have been avoided. The capacity is 175 MLD.
Agos High Dam
A feasibility study was finished in 2003, but there was no decision yet on when the project would start. World Bank, in a 2012 study, identified the higher social cost of the project vis-à-vis Laiban Dam, but validated its importance for the long-term water security of Metro Manila. The capacity is 3,000 MLD.
(Source: Various data collated by WBF Research)
Finally, we can see the light at the end of the tunnel once the Wawa dam is completed. Its construction has been approved and is underway; the target date of completion is 2021. It can supply 80 MLD and can be expanded to 500 MLD in 2025. Another source of water is the Kaliwa dam, a controversial project concerning environmental degradation, displacement of indigenous tribes, not to mention the alleged questionable terms of agreement with China. It is said that this could supply 600 MLD that can be expanded to 2,400 MLD. Our water problem, hopefully, will be addressed with the construction of these two dams, but without a price.
Now, are we, as consumers, ready to pay the price just so we can be assured that we have good supply of water and electricity? Do we have a choice? These are questions we can answer individually. Just remember that we have the future generation to think about since they will absorb the cost of these projects.
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About the author:
Grace C. Sorongon was the 2013 President of People Management Association of the Philippines. She has been working with John Clements Consultants for more than three decades now. She is a Senior Vice President and is in charge of various corporate projects, steering these projects towards completion. She also manages the operations of Professional Staffers, a business unit within the John Clements group.
