By Ignacio R. Bunye
In an age where infrastructure projects often arrive late and over budget, the early completion of the Upper Wawa Dam — seven months ahead of schedule — is nothing short of extraordinary.
Behind this engineering triumph stands a visionary who never lost sight of its potential: Oscar I. Violago.
Chairman of San Lorenzo Ruiz Builders and Developers Group, Violago isn’t new to the world of ambitious builds.
But the Wawa Bulk Water Supply Project is more than just another development on his resume.
It’s the culmination of a three-decade dream that began quietly in 1993, when he first applied for water rights along the Wawa River in Rizal.
That quiet dream has since grown into one of the most consequential infrastructure projects in the Philippines in over half a century.
A legacy carved in concrete and water
The Upper Wawa Dam, centerpiece of the project’s second phase, will begin commercial operations by December 2025.
With a capacity to deliver up to 710 million liters of water daily — enough to supply over 3.5 million residents — it’s a game-changer for Metro Manila’s water security.
Set against the backdrop of an increasingly unpredictable climate, its timely delivery couldn’t be more critical.
Yet, Wawa is more than a lifeline. It’s also a technological marvel: a 450-hectare reservoir, a stepped ungated spillway to regulate river flow, and an environmental flow turbine that ensures both downstream ecology and renewable power for operations.
It’s infrastructure thinking redefined — multifunctional, sustainable and future-facing.
The man behind the vision
Violago’s tenacity was the dam’s foundation long before the concrete was poured.
His persistence, even through years of legal battles and bureaucratic delays, eventually attracted a like-minded powerhouse — business magnate Enrique Razon, Jr.
Through WawaJVCo Inc., their joint venture brought financial might and engineering execution together under one roof.
While Razon brought capital, Violago brought the vision.
His earlier work with Olympia Violago Water and Power Inc., particularly the Wawa Pumped-Storage Hydropower Project, laid the groundwork for integrating clean energy into the dam’s blueprint.
By 2030, the co-located 600 MW hydro facility is expected to complement the water project — another testament to his long-view leadership.
Engineering meets ecology
Wawa Dam doesn’t just hold water — it holds promise for the environment.
Over 1,800 hectares of watershed are being protected and reforested.
The project’s commitment to sustainability and indigenous engagement shows how major infrastructure can coexist with community and ecology.
Perhaps most telling was its performance during Super Typhoon “Carina” in 2024.
By impounding excess rainfall, the dam helped reduce flooding in Rizal and parts of Metro Manila — an unplanned test it passed with flying colors.
A model for the future
With climate resilience, strategic foresight, and environmental stewardship at its core, the Wawa Dam may well serve as a blueprint for water infrastructure across the region.
And at the heart of it all is Oscar I. Violago — a man who saw potential in a forgotten river, and who turned vision into victory.
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