President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Friday led the inauguration of Tunnel No. 5 of the Angat Water Transmission Improvement Project, calling the new facility a crucial investment to secure reliable water for nearly 20 million residents across Metro Manila, Bulacan, and parts of Cavite and Rizal.
During the inauguration ceremony, President Marcos said the new tunnel expands the aging Umiray–Angat–Ipo–La Mesa system, which supplies about 90 percent of the water consumed in Metro Manila and nearby provinces.
President Marcos said Tunnel No. 5 will allow the system to carry more than 1.6 billion liters of water per day, increasing total transport capacity from six billion to nearly eight billion liters daily.
“More families will have a continuous and reliable water supply,” he said.
“Our communities will be more prepared for droughts and other effects of climate change we face in the future,” he added.
President Marcos urged stakeholders to continue prioritizing sustainable resource management as the country prepares for harsher climate conditions and a growing water demand.
The Angat Water Transmission Improvement Project seeks to modernize and reinforce the decades-old system that channels water from Angat Dam to the capital region.
Tunnel No. 5 serves as a major redundancy line to ensure an uninterrupted supply while older tunnels undergo maintenance or rehabilitation.
The President said the improved system will help communities better withstand droughts and other climate-related risks.
He credited Maynilad Water Services Inc., Manila Water Co. Inc., MWSS engineers, workers, and local government partners for completing the project, saying it demonstrated what can be achieved when government and the private sector work toward a shared vision.
