This was after the Commission on Audit released a memorandum questioning how China Energy Engineering Corporation Limited (CEEC) was granted the project in December 2018. The project is also partially funded by an official development assistance (ODA) loan from China signed in November 2018.
“MWSS wishes to assure interested parties that all legal, financial, environmental and technical issues have been addressed in strict compliance with Philippine laws, rules and regulations, as well as the guidelines for official development assistance projects,” MWSS said in a statement Tuesday.
It added that it has already submitted a detailed reply to COA on its selection of CEEC from the three nominated Chinese contractors for the project.
MWSS added that it has already submitted the documents required to access the ODA loan to the respective Philippine government agencies, except for the Environmental Compliance Certificate from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
“Clearly, the government approvals to the loan agreement were secured in full coordination with all concerned agencies to implement this government flagship project which is a part of the MWSS’ Water Security Program,” it said.
The DENR is set to hold public hearings on the Kaliwa Dam project on August 23, 27 and 28 in the provinces of Quezon and Rizal, where the dam is set to be built.
The Kaliwa Dam project will be constructed to address the growing water scarcity problem in Metro Manila.
However, indigenous people and residents living in the area have continuously protested the project.
WATCH: Dumagat tribe, residents oppose China-funded Kaliwa Dam
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 20) — The Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) defended its choice for the bidding for the Kaliwa Dam project.
