Bulacan (CNN Philippines) — President Benigno Aquino III led the inspection of the Angat Dam rehabilitation in Norzagaray, Bulacan on Wednesday (July 22).
In his speech after the inspection, he outlined the importance of rehabilitating Angat Dam — emphasizing that what’s at stake are the lives and livelihood of three million Filipinos who will be affected in case a strong quake hits the dam.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) earlier warned that the West Valley Fault — which runs through Central Metro Manila — is potentially active.
The West Valley fault runs approximately 200 meters east of the main Angat dyke and any movement may affect the local fault.
In the event the Angat Dam and dykes sustain serious damage, it would disrupt Metro Manila’s water supply and irrigation for farmlands in Bulacan and Pampanga.
Angat Hydropower Corporation — a local corporation co-owned by San Miguel Corporation’s subsidiary SMC Global Power Holdings Corp. and Korea Water Resources Corporation — is in charge of the strengthening project.
The company estimates the project to be completed in two years.
San Miguel Corporation President and Chief Operating Officer Ramon Ang and K-Water President and Chief Executive Officer Choi Gyeewoon joined the president during the inspection.
The dam-strengthening plan is based on the dam assessment study done by independent engineering firm, Poyry Energy.
Based on study, in case of an extreme flood event, Angat Dam is safe as long as all three existing spillway gates remain functional.
The engineering firm proposed mitigation measures.
The project is part of the Operations and Management Agreement with the Private Sector Assets and Liabilities Management and the National Power Corporation.
