Philippines: China-linked Kaliwa Dam construction nears as project gets ECC

• The controversial PHP18.7bn Kaliwa Dam, backed by China, is targeted to begin construction by Feb 20 after the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) secured one of the most pertinent documents needed to jumpstart the project.
• MWSS chairman Reynaldo Velasco has confirmed that the agency last week received the environmental compliance certificate (ECC), a requirement for any project in the country that poses potential environmental risk or impact.
• With the ECC approval, the MWSS is waiting for just one more permit, from the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples. “We are positive that we can get that permit before the end of 2019,” Velasco told The STAR.
• “While there are NGOs (non-government organizations) meddling with the project, the NCIP knows that this is a flagship project of the administration,” he said.
• Civil society and non-government organizations have been supporting the call of the Agta-Dumagat-Remontado tribes in Quezon and Rizal who are opposing the Kaliwa Dam project.
• The project is said to displace the indigenous communities and threaten the already endangered flaura and fauna in the Sierra Madre Mountain Range.
• Once the NCIP permit is secured, China Energy Engineering Corp. will submit the engineering design which will be up for approval of the MWSS Board.
• “By Feb 20, hopefully the design will be approved by the board. We will immediately proceed with the construction right after,” Velasco said.

External Link : https://www.philstar.com/business/2019/10/23/1962514/kaliwa-dam-construction-nears-project-gets-ecc