The chief of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) said Saturday that the planned $1-billion Laiban Dam is the key to Metro Manila’s long-term water security even as he criticized a disinformation campaign waged by critics, including one of its own water concessionaires, against the project.

MWSS Administrator Diosdado Jose Allado said that Laiban Dam project was imbued with public interest since the current source for Metro Manila’s water, the Angat Dam and Reservoir, is reaching its optimum capacity and may be wrecked by an earthquake because it is located within the Marikina west line fault.

Allado made the reaction during a media briefing with representatives of the National Water Resources Board (NWRB), Philippine Athmospheric, Geological and Seismological Administration (PAGASA) and National Irrigation Administration (NIA).

He explained that the population of Metro Manila is projected to rise to 15 million by 2015, pushing the demand to 5,600 million liter per day (MLD). ”We need a new water resource to meet this increased demand,” he said. Angat’s capacity is 4,090 MLD.

“Metro Manila and parts of Bulacan under the MWSS water distribution system may just run dry and thirsty in six years unless Laiban Dam which is the only viable and top priority water resource project under the NEDA’s priority program gets off the ground soon,” Allado said.

He added that the inter-agency panel composed of the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel and the MWSS and project proponent San Miguel Bulk Water Co. Inc. (SMBWCI) is discussing and resolving issues pertaining to the unsolicited proposal to build Laiban Dam. “We hope a decision can be made anywhere from 30 days to 60 days.”

SMBWCI submitted an unsolicited proposal to build and operate the Laiban Dam at no cost to the government, without any sovereign guarantees and government-backed loans. The project is designed to provide 1,900 MLD in raw water to Metro Manila.