PGB pleads nat’l gov’t, NIA to replace Bustos Dam’s rubber gates with ‘standardized’ materials

CITY OF MALOLOS — To prioritize the Bulakenyos’ safety after one of the Bustos Dam gates has been damaged, the Provincial Government of Bulacan has called on the national government and the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) to take immediate actions in replacing the dam’s rubber gates.

The gate 3 of the said dam, which is being managed by the NIA, was damaged due to extreme heat last May 1. It can also be recalled that in 2020, the gate number 5 was also damaged, to which Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council Chairman and Governor Daniel R. Fernando investigated and ordered the NIA to test the materials and eventually proved to be substandard.

With five other remaining gates possibly to be compromised as the rainy season nears, Fernando fears the possible danger the dam poses for the province if the NIA do not take swift actions and invest in standardized materials.

He also urged the agency to replace not only one but all the rubber gates to ensure the safety of the province.

“Sa ating national government, sa ating NIA, please lang po, nakikiusap po kami, pakinggan n’yo po sana. Huwag po tayong kumilos nang babagal-bagal [dahil] ang pinakamahalaga po rito ay ‘yung askyon agad. Nakabingit diyan ‘yung milyon-milyong Bulakenyo ‘pag nagkataong pumutok lahat ‘yan,” he said.

Notably, Vice Governor Alexis C. Castro added that if there will be no prompt solutions to this, Bulakenyos might suffer grave effects from possible flooding.

“Kung hindi po ito gagawan ng paraan as soon as possible, ‘yung baha na sinasabi natin at ‘yung mga maaapektuhan ay mas magiging malala pa,” he said.

On the other hand, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) reminded the residents that the third gate of Bustos Dam is only a small gateway, thus no immense amount of water would be dispersed.

“Ang gate 3 ay isang maliit lamang na bukasan at ang mababawas lamang sa lebel ng tubig ay 2.38 mts. Ang rubber gate ay about 5 mts. wide lang kumpara sa about 25-30 mts. wide ng Angat River, ang ibig sabihin ito ay maliit lang na bukasan ng tubig na tatapon sa maluwag na ilog,” the PDRRMO said.

Meanwhile, the provincial government is already preparing evacuation centers as part of its preventive measures. ###