Angat Dam and Dykes Strengthening Project, 100% complete “No need to worry on dam break in case of 7.2 magnitude quake”- NPC

CITY OF MALOLOS – National Power Corporation’s Principal Engineer on Dams Management Operation Wilfredo Senadrin clarified that Bulakenyos should not be apprehensive about the dam break because the just completed Angat Dam and Dykes Strengthening Project was designed to withstand a 7.2 magnitude earthquake.

In the press conference dubbed as Talakayang Bulakenyo held yesterday at Mariano Ponce Hall in Hiyas ng Bulacan Convention Center here, which was organized by the Provincial Public Affairs Office, Senadrin emphasized before the media that there is no need to worry since the rehabilitation and strengthening of the Angat Dam is 100% complete.

“Ang tendency po ng dam break sa ngayon ay medyo minimal na. Ang strengthening po ng Angat Dam is based po dun sa 7.2 magnitude na lindol so kapag 7.2 lang po ang lindol asahan n’yo po na wala tayong dapat ikabahala sa dam break ng Angat pero kung mas mataas sa 7.2, hindi naman siya masisira ng tuluyan; magkakaroon lang ng deformation ng dam,” Senadrin explained.

Also, he made it clear that the crack in Angat Dam is just a projection and was never confirmed even by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology.

Meanwhile, Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) Division Manager Patrick James Dizon discussed the status of the on-going projects of their office including Angat Water Transmission Improvement Project (AWTIP), construction of Tunnel 4 and 5 from Ipo Dam to Brgy. Bigte, Norzagaray, Bulacan, and construction of additional aqueduct from Brgy. Bigte, Norzagaray to La Mesa Dam to replace the old and dilapidated Aqueducts 1 and 2.

He also mentioned that they are conducting a feasibility study on the construction of Ipo Dam 3 project that is expected to catch incremental flow of rainfall, excess releases for irrigation and spills from Ipo Dam 2.

As for the Provincial Government of Bulacan, Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office Head Felicisma Mungcal said that their office is fully equipped to respond during times of disasters, calamities and emergencies.

“We can proudly say that our responders in the Province of Bulacan ay equipped with KSA and appropriate equipment, tools, vehicles and PPEs to respond to emergencies. Actually, it was maximized during the respondence sa bumagsak na helicopter na may sakay sa President and CEO ng Laus Group of Companies and we are the first to respond sa Chuzon Supermarket,” Mungcal said.

Also present during the conference were Assistant Operations Manager of the National Irrigation Administration Engr. Precioso Punzalan, Maria Teresa Serra from the Dams Management Department, Ramil Gata, OIC of Angat Watershed Area Team-Watershed Management Department, MWSS Department Manager Jojo Dorado and Governor-elect Daniel R. Fernando’s representative Jerome Dimayuga, who assured the participants that the incoming governor is and will be hands-on during calamities and disasters.