MALOLOS CITY—Questions
on who will finance the long delayed P5.7-Billion rehabilitation of the giant
Angat Dam in Bulacan have re-emerged days after a magnitude 7.2 earthquake hit
Bohol province in the Visayas.
This
came as the National Power Corporation (Napocor) which manages the dam said
they still have to receive a copy of the contract signed by the Korea Water
Resources Corporation (K-Water) and the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities
Management (Psalm).
Even
the provincial government led by Gov. Wilhelmino Alvarado is asking for a copy
of the said contract noting that Bulakenyos are alarmed by the recent
earthquake in Bohol.
“We
have reasons to be afraid,” the governor said referring to about 3-Million
Bulakenyos and added that in case Angat Dam is damaged by earthquake,
Bulakenyos will suffer first.
This
is due to possible rush of water from the dam to the Angat River, which was
described to reach up to 30 meters high
based on feasibility study conducted by Tonkin and Taylor International about
two years ago.
The
said study noted that 20 towns and cities in Bulacan will be affected, along
with seven towns in Pampanga, and three cities in Metro Manila.
Malacanang
took notice of the said scenario and allocated a total of P5.7-B for the
remediation of the Angat Dam, of which,
P2.6-B is said to be utilized for installation of new instruments, while the remaining P3.1 me
is intended for the actual rehabilitation.
But
a complication came late last year, when the Supreme Court ruled in favor of
K-Water as the winning bidder in the privatization of the 246 megawatt Angat
River Hydroelectric Power Plant.
According
to Architect Gerardo Esquivel, administrator of the Metropolitan Waterworks and
Sewerage System (MWSS), part of the
K-Water’s bid contract affirmed by the SC stipulates that it winning
bidder will spent money for the rehabilitation of the dam.
The
same is the interpretation of ranking Napocor officials like Engineer Rodolfo
German of the Arhepp.
He
even said in a recent interview that K-Water will also spend an undisclosed
amount for the repair and replacement of existing power generating machines of
the Arhepp.
However,
Napocor President Gladys Sta. Rita said they still to see the copy of the
contract between K-Water and Psalm.
She
also disclosed that the Philippine government is looking at the possibilities
of setting aside the P3.1-B rehabilitation fund thinking that the Koreans will
shoulder it once they assume operation
and management of the Arhepp.
While
it is not clear who will now finance the rehabilitation and remediation of the
Angat dam, millions of Bulakenyos led by Alvarado are living in fear.
“Nakakapangamba
ang sitwasyon, nakaamba yung Marikina West Valley Faultline sa Angat Dam na
hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa nasisimulan ang repair, eh, paano kung gumalaw ang faultline at
masira ang dam, eh di tayo ang mapipinsalan,” the governor said..
Alvarado
said that Tuesday’s earthquake in Bohol is another wake up call for every
concerned government agencies to fast track the repair of the Angat Dam.
Local
residents estimates claimed that in case of dam break, about a million
Bulakenyos will be killed in the first three hours of the water rush from the
dam.
But
prolong damage and impact will be in Metro Manila which is dependent on Angat
Dam for potable water supply. Dino
Balabo
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