PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte will review contracts for the Kaliwa Dam project in Quezon should any questionable provisions emerge, his spokesman said.

On Thursday, Salvador S. Panelo told reporters at a briefing, “Ang Presidente, basta may nag-point out sa kanya na merong onerous provision tinitignan niya agad ’yun (The President will review any contract immediately if someone points out onerous provisions).”

Bayan Muna Representative Carlos Isagani T. Zarate said it was “disastrous” for Mr. Duterte to proceed with the project despite irregularities in the agreements. Mr. Zarate said that the loan deals for the Kaliwa Dam and the Chico River Irrigation Pump Project are mostly in favor of Chinese parties.

Mr. Panelo said that the legislator failed to identify any specific onerous provisions.

“Did they elaborate why it was disastrous? And number two, what are those onerous provisions… They have to specify,” Mr. Panelo said.

He added, “I’m sure those who drafted the agreement know exactly whether or not those provisions will be disadvantageous to this government.”

The agreements for both the Kaliwa Dam and the Chico River Irrigation Pump project are worth P12.2 billion and P3.2 billion, respectively. Mr. Zarate said that the contract states that any dispute will be settled by a Chinese tribunal.

Mr. Duterte said earlier this week that he is pushing for the construction of both Kaliwa Dam and Wawa Dam in Rizal, calling both measures a “last resort” to address Metro Manila’s water supply issues. He also warned courts not to issue stoppage orders for the Kaliwa Dam’s construction, amid objections to the project by indigenous people and environmental organizations. — Gillian M. Cortez

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