President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. inaugurated a vital component of the Angat Water Transmission Improvement Project (AWTIP), formally commissioning Tunnel No. 5, a massive infrastructure development set to ensure a continuous and reliable water supply for nearly 20 million people in Metro Manila and surrounding provinces.
During the ceremony at the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) Compound in Norzagaray, Bulacan, President Marcos emphasized the project’s essential role in achieving the national goal of providing every Filipino with dependable access to water.
“The establishment of Tunnel No. 5 is not only important, but it is also essential,” the President stated.
Tunnel No. 5 significantly reinforces the decades-old Umiray–Angat–Ipo–La Mesa system, which serves as the primary backbone, conveying almost 90 percent of the water utilized by residents in Metro Manila, Bulacan, and parts of Cavite and Rizal.
The new raw water conveyance tunnel drastically increases the system’s resilience and capacity.
Increased Capacity: Tunnel No. 5 can carry over 1.6 billion liters of water per day, elevating the entire system’s maximum transport capacity from 6 billion to almost 8 billion liters of water per day.
Reliability and Maintenance: The additional capacity provides a critical backup, enabling the safe and orderly shutdown and maintenance of existing, older tunnels without interrupting the delivery of water to households.
“These numbers show how important it is to keep the Angat system strong, reliable, and future-ready,” the Chief Executive underscored.
The improved water transmission capability will also bolster communities’ preparedness against droughts, minimize the impact of climate change, and strengthen the country’s overall water system resilience.
The President unveiled the project marker at the Bigte Basin in Barangay Bigte, witnessed by key officials, including Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon, Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Raphael Lotilla, MWSS Administrator Leonor Cleofas, and Maynilad Water Services Inc. President and CEO Ramoncito S. Fernandez, and Manila Water Company Inc. President and CEO Jose Victor Emmanuel A. De Dios.
President Marcos acknowledged the unwavering support of concessionaires Maynilad and Manila Water, as well as the engineers and workers whose efforts brought the project to fruition.
“This project reminds us that we can accomplish what, when the government and the private sector, and the LGUs are anchored on a shared vision,” he concluded, encouraging all stakeholders to value and responsibly use the nation’s water resources to build a more inclusive and sustainable future.
