Gov. Alvarado urged the immediate rehabilitation of Angat Dam

Gov. Alvarado urged the immediate rehabilitation of Angat Dam

GUIGUINTO, Bulacan-- "May pera naman, gastusin na".

These are the words coming from Governor Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvardo in his speech at the Angat Dam Break Drill happened last December 13 at Bulacan Sports Complex.

Governor Alvarado who led the drill was urging the national government to take immediate action in the rehabilitating of the dam.

"Bakit hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa ginagastos kahit ni isang sentimo para patibayin ang istruktura ng Angat Dam" Alvarado adds. It was a year ago when President Ninoy Aquino released P5.7 billion for the rehabilitation of the dam.

The 44-year-old dam is consider laying atop of Marikina West Valley Fault Line based on the study of Philippine Volcanology and Seismology (PhilVolcs) said that a 7.2 magnitude earthquake is needed to make the dam collapsed which may lead the Bulacan and other near provinces like Pampanga and even Metro Manila in serious danger.

"Sila (Koreano) ay nagtungo dito (Pilipinas) para mag-negosyo" Alvarado said pertaining to the Korea Water Resources Corporation (K-Water) who won the bid and gets the approval of the Supreme Court (SC) in the privation of the dam.

"Walang magmamahal sa mga Pilipino kundi tayo ring mga Pilipino at walang magmamahal sa ating mga Bulakenyo kundi tayong mga Bulakenyo" Alvarado adds.

As the dam is under management of the National Power Corporation (Napocor) saying that they are still on debate whether the (K-Water) the bidder, will finance and will hand them the signed contract together with the (PSALM)

The dam which carry 815 million cubic metric tons will bring 30 meter high flood that will submerged the province. It will also cause the whole Metro Manila’s supply of water (shortage) as 97 percent came from Angat Dam.

"Ngayon hindi bukas sapagkat baka magamit nila yung pera sa pangongolekta ng mga bangkay doon sa Manila Bay" informed by Alvarado.

Angat Dam Break Drill

More than 12,000 Bulakenyos from different sector of life participate in the Angat Dam Break Drill to make everyone aware to the possible disaster that may hit the province.

Lead by provincial government employees and hospitals as well as students from Bulacan State University (BSU), Bulacan Polytechnic College (BPC), La Consolacion University of the Philippines (LUCP) and Central Escolar University (CEU) who walked together to get through in the assigned evacuation place.

Gov. Alvarado who stands as the incident commander said that this drill is important for everyone to know what will do before, during and after the disaster. “Hindi pwede yung palakad-lakad lang. Kailangan mahkaroon ng pananaw” Alvardo state.

Director Josefina Timoteo of Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Region III  also said that this drill was timely as disaster after disaster hit the country, like the Typhoon Yolanda and the earthquake in Bohol. This drill will make the Bulakenyos aware and prepared for the worst case scenario.

Timoteo adds that this will also establish how effective the incident command system that will gives needed information in case of emergency and also to inspect all the infrastructure like hospitals that will be used in the actual disasters.

“Kampante ako dahil may mga competent at talagang good leaders na maasahan na tutugon kung may mga kalamidad” Timoteo add.

The province of Bulacan is two time Gawad Kalasag awardee from year 2012 and 2013 Arm Forces of the Philippine.

Governor Alvarado also planned to file an executive order that will mandate every town in Bulacan to have this kind of drill.###