President Benigno S. Aquino III graces the launching of the Angat Afterbay Regulatory Dam (Bustos Dam) Rehabilitation Project in Barangay Tibagan, Bustos, Bulacan on Friday (April 15). (MNS photo)
MANILA (Mabuhay) – President Benigno S. Aquino III on Friday launched the Angat Afterbay Regulator Dam Rehabilitation Project that aims to repair the Bustos Dam in Bulacan to improve the irrigation system and prevent flashfloods in the province.
The P1-billion project begins next month and is expected to be completed by August next year.
Bustos Dam, which irrigates farmlands in Bulacan and Pampanga and is a regulator dam of the larger Angat Dam, was built in 1926. In 1967, the dam was fitted with steel gates, which rusted away through the years and were replaced with rubber gates in 1997. The rubber gates have since become brittle and needed immediate replacement.
President Benigno S. Aquino III presses the power button to switch on the scale model during the launching of the Angat Afterbay Regulatory Dam (Bustos Dam) Rehabilitation Project in Barangay Tibagan, Bustos, Bulacan on Friday (April 15). Also in photo are Bulacan Governor Wilhelmino Sy-Alvarado, PAFSAM Secretary Fredelita Guiza, and National Irrigation Administration administrator Florencio Padernal. (MNS photo)
“Pinag-aralan natin ang mga dapat gawin para sa rehabilitasyon at pagpapaunlad nito. Papalitan ang anim na rubber gates, at magkakabit ng mga sprinkler para sa mga rubber gates, para humaba ang lifespan ng mga ito,” the President said in his speech.
“Pag natapos ito, inaasahang mapapatubigan ang buong 26,791 hectares na kasalukuyang service area ng Angat-Maasim River Irrigation System, mula 23,068 hectares lamang na napapatubigan nitong nakaraang cropping season. Tinatayang 23,700 magsasaka ng Bulacan at Pampanga ang makikinabang dito.”
President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his speech during the launching of the Angat Afterbay Regulatory Dam (Bustos Dam) Rehabilitation Project in Barangay Tibagan, Bustos, Bulacan on Friday (April 15). Also in photo are Bulacan Governor Wilhelmino Sy-Alvarado, PAFSAM Secretary Fredelita Guiza, and National Irrigation Administration administrator Florencio Padernal. (MNS photo)
He further noted that to address the flooding in Bulacan, P3.41 billion had been allocated for flood control projects in the province from 2011 to 2016. These projects include the Valenzuela-Obando-Meycauayan Flood Control Project.
“Ang kwento sa atin, noong araw, maski high tide lang o kahit konti lang ang pag-ulan, binabaha na agad ang mga barangay. Sa ilalim po ng inyong flood control project, nagpapagawa na tayo ng flood control wall para maiwasan ang perwisyo. At ang balita sa atin ay sa kasalukuyan napapakinabangan na po itong flood wall na ito,” he said.
President Benigno S. Aquino III is received by PAFSAM Secretary Fredelita Guiza and National Irrigation Administration administrator Florencio Padernal upon arrival for the launching of the Angat Afterbay Regulatory Dam (Bustos Dam) Rehabilitation Project in Barangay Tibagan, Bustos, Bulacan on Friday (April 15).(MNS photo)
The Chief Executive said that efforts to deal with the flood problem include the installation of two Automated Rain Gauges and 10 Water Level Monitoring Stations; and covering Malolos, Meycauayan and San Jose del Monte under the FloodNET, which provides rainfall forecasts and warnings.
President Aquino earlier led the groundbreaking of the Bulacan Bulk Water Supply Project in San Jose del Monte, the first Public-Private Partnership project in the water sector to be awarded by the administration.
“Nito ngang Enero, napirmahan na natin ang kontrata para sa Bulacan Bulk Water Supply Project, at may preconstruction activities na sinisimulan na po. July pa dapat magsisimula po ito, pero sa kasalukuyan, ginagawa na. Layon nga po ng mga proyektong ito, unang-una, mapalitan ‘yung pinagkukuhanan ng tubig na hindi na deep well,” he said.
President Benigno S. Aquino III is received by PAFSAM Secretary Fredelita Guiza and National Irrigation Administration administrator Florencio Padernal upon arrival for the launching of the Angat Afterbay Regulatory Dam (Bustos Dam) Rehabilitation Project in Barangay Tibagan, Bustos, Bulacan on Friday (April 15).(MNS photo)
“Ito na po ay papunta tayo sa tinatawag na ‘surface water’. Resulta po nito: mas tiyak ‘yung tubig, mas malakas ‘yung pressure at mapapababa pa ‘yung gastusin ng tubig. Sa kasalukuyan raw po, ang average na binabayad ng inyong mga OSEC sa mga water district ay mga P20. Ito po ‘yung nanalong bidder ay P8.50 per cubic meter ang isisingil,” he said, noting that once completed, the project would benefit 3 million Bulakeños.
All these projects, he said, are proof of his government’s intention to bring true service to the people.
President Benigno S. Aquino III shovels dirt during the groundbreaking ceremony of the Bulacan Bulk Water Supply Project in Pleasant Hills, Barangay San Manuel, San Jose del Monte City, Bulacan on Friday (April 15).(MNS photo)
“Kayo na po ang testigo: Magkakarugtong ang lahat ng proyekto natin; at nakatutok sa iisang layunin: ang iangat pa ang antas ng pamumuhay ng ating mga Boss. Ngayon, narito na tayo sa mas mataas na lunsaran: Pwede na muling mangarap, at mas mataas na ang kapasidad nating gawin itong realidad. Sa patuloy nating ambagan at malasakit, tiwala akong abot-kamay rin natin ang katuparan ng matatayog pa nating mithiin,” President Aquino said. (MNS)