Gov urges fast Angat Dam rehabilitation

MALOLOS CITY — Bulacan Gov. Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado Thursday urged concerted and immediate action among concerned government agencies and stakeholders to rehabilitate the 40-year-old Angat Dam.

“Not tomorrow or some other day, but now,” said Sy-Alvarado as he related how a recent meeting with the Metropolitan Waterworks Sewerage System, National Power Corporation and other stakeholders saw the need for a concrete plan of action to rehabilitate the dam.

“Sa Ipo Dam, mahigit 50 porsiyento o katumbas ng 3,000 ektarya ng mga puno ang pinutol, sa Angat Dam naman ay mahigit 20 porsiyento o katumbas ng 11,000 ektarya, dalawang beses na malaki sa watershed. That is the reason why Angat Dam and Ipo Dam are silted, dahil sinisipsip na yung tubig ng siltation, bumababa ‘yung tubig”, said Alvarado.

The suggestion was brought about by reports regarding the crack found in Angat Dam that may cause the same tragedy that Japan and New Zealand had experienced if ever the dam will be hit by a strong earthquake.

However, continuous monitoring and studies are being made to prevent this from happening and to find ways to safely and effectively rehabilitate Angat Dam.

Alvarado said, concerned agencies should not only prioritize the people of Manila but also the residents of Bulacan and Pampanga whose lives and properties will be directly affected if a strong earthquake strikes the dam.

He added that having a sustainable plan will help solve the deforestation near the dam that causes siltation as well as the removal of mud.

On the other hand, MWSS Administrator Gerry Baldo said they are presently conducting a study with the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology headed by Rene Solidum, regarding the technical aspect and immediate actions to execute in case an earthquake hits the dam.

Alvarado also suggested that there must be equal sharing of water rights in Angat Dam, wherein at present, 97 percent of water from the said dam is being supplied to Metro Manila while it is stated in the Local Government Code Article 10 Section 7 that local governments shall be entitled to an equitable share in the proceeds of the utilization and development of the national wealth within their respective areas, in the manner provided by law, including sharing the same with the inhabitants