Bulacan (CNN Philippines) — The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) will begin rehabilitating Bulacan’s Bustos Dam in May. The project is expected to be finished by August 2017.
Built in 1926, the irrigation dam has undergone several repairs over the years. A chief concern is the deterioration of its gates, the ones that hold back tons of water.
Once rehabilitated, the 90-year-old dam will have an increased holding capacity to prevent flashfloods. It will also secure the delivery of irrigation to farmers.
The dam services 16 towns in Bulacan and four towns in Pampanga, with over 23,000 farmers dependent on it.
Bulacan Gov. Wilhelmino Alvarado says the gates’ poor condition puts the towns of Calumpit and Hagonoy at risk, especially during the typhoon season.
When two of the dam’s gates are opened to let out excess water, the towns become submerged in water reaching up to seven feet.
President Benigno Aquino III and Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson had personally inspected the site before launching the rehabilitation project.
