This structure, which locals call "Laiban Dam" in Tanay, Rizal, was built during the time of former President Ferdinand Marcos, and will form part of the Kaliwa Dam project. Art Fuentes, ABS-CBN News

MANILA- Completing the Kaliwa Dam project will be one of China's "great achievements" in the Philippines, its embassy said Monday as President Rodrigo Duterte pushed for the reservoir's construction.

The President is pushing for the immediate construction of the dam, saying it is the "last resort" for Metro Manila's water shortage.



"The project is one of the great achievements in helping the Philippines with more livelihood projects..." Beijing's embassy in Manila said in a statement.

"China will continue to work with the Philippines to ensure early implementation of the Kaliwa Dam project for the benefit of the local people," it added.

Chinese Embassy Spokesperson’s Comment on the Kaliwa Dam Project pic.twitter.com/ICdzZsgyNs — ChineseEmbassyManila (@Chinaembmanila) January 13, 2020

The project would "fundamentally alleviate" Metro Manila of its water shortage problem, China's embassy explained.

Left-leaning groups have questioned the Kaliwa Dam project in Quezon as it would displace thousands of indigenous people.

Duterte, however, assured the public that the government would pay and relocate individuals who would be displaced by the project.

"I will order them to go ahead, and we will pay the natives, and we will relocate them," the President said in a speech last Dec. 30, 2019.