RAZON-LED Prime Infrastructure Holdings Corp. (Prime Infra) announced that it secured the consent of the Dumagat-Remontado indigenous peoples (IPs) for the second phase of its bulk water supply project in Rizal.

In a media release, the company said the approval of the fourth and final memorandum of agreement (MoA) in the free, prior and informed consent (FPIC) process “is a major milestone in helping to efficiently and sustainably address the looming water shortage in Metro Manila,” mitigate flooding in the lower areas of Rizal province, Marikina City and Pasig City “and uplift the lives of the project’s host communities in Rizal province.”

Wawa Bulk Water Supply Project Phase II, Upper Wawa Dam, aims to provide at least 518 million liters per day to over 500,000 households within Metro Manila and Rizal.

The negotiations and MoA signing was supervised by the FPIC team and the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP).

“It shows the full support from the community for the Upper Wawa Dam Project and will allow us to proceed with working to provide reliable water supply to Metro Manila’s East Zone residents while also helping support the growth and sustainable development of the IPs in Antipolo City and Rodriguez, Rizal,” WawaJVCo, Inc. President Melvin John M. Tan said.

WawaJVCo is a joint venture between Prime Infra and San Lorenzo Ruiz Builders and Developers Group, Inc.

“Sinigurado sa MoA na ang mga katutubong Dumagat ng Montalban, kasama ang mga kabataan, kababaihan at matatanda ay magkakaroon ng bahagi sa pagpapaunlad ng aming lupang ninuno,” said Adolfo C. Gallanosa from the Montalaban IP.

(The MoA made sure that the Dumagat IPs from Montalban, including children, women, and the elderly, will be part of the success of this project on our ancestral land.)

WawaJVCo was formed to develop the bulk water supply project and mitigate flooding in Metro Manila’s eastern portion. Its parent firm, Prime Infra, has infrastructure assets that include renewable and sustainable energy, water, and construction.

“Prime Infra applies an integrated and comprehensive approach to the task of developing infrastructure assets, improving lives and laying a strong foundation for the future by enabling the delivery of essential services to communities in emerging markets worldwide,” the company added. — Luisa Maria Jacinta C. Jocson

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