Duterte says he will use ‘extraordinary powers’ to address looming water crisis

President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday said he might use the “extraordinary powers” of his office to address the looming water crisis in Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

Duterte issued the statement amid opposition to the construction of Kaliwa Dam in Quezon province, which is expected to help meet the growing water demand in the National Capital Region.

It had been opposed by some militant groups due to the risk that the China-funded project would displace indigenous people and submerge their ancestral lands.

“Let me be very clear to the citizens and all. You have every right to protest if it would place your place in jeopardy,” Duterte told reporters in Malacañang.

“But if the safeguards are there, tapos between your concerns and the crisis that we are trying to avoid, I will use the extraordinary powers of the presidency to... And I could not just allow people go out without water even for drinking.”

He said he can use the police power of the state.

“It might create some danger or damage but that is not my concern. My concern is the welfare. Ganito 'yan: The greatest good for the greatest number. That is democracy,” he said.

When told that the Kaliwa Dam project is under investigation amid allegations of bid rigging, Duterte said: “Then I will go there and operate it myself. I will take over and I will direct what to do.”

Duterte added he had appointed  “enough men of equal talent to deal with the problem” of looming water shortage.

“Basta sa akin, you produce water,” he said.

Earlier in the day, presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said Duterte may take “drastic action” after water companies began rotational supply reductions due to the drop in the water level in Angat Dam in Bulacan.

Panelo also repeated the President’s message to water concessionaires Manila Water and Maynilad that they should “shape up or ship out.”

“I suppose the fact that they have not undertaken corrective measures that will prevent the evolution of this upcoming crisis again would be a factor that would make the President decide on drastic action against them,” the Palace official said at a news conference. — BM, GMA News