NIA, MWSS ink pact to divert P1B for Bustos Dam rehab

MANILA, Philippines - The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) has signed an agreement with the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) for the diversion of P1 billion to be used in the rehabilitation of the Bustos Dam in Bulacan.

The MWSS would divert funds totaling P1 billion to NIA for the implementation of the project as payment for the use of a portion of the irrigation agency’s water allocation during the ‘90s.

For a couple of years in the 90’s the MWSS borrowed from NIA’s water allocation at a volume of 15 cubic meters per second.

The rehabilitation project would cover the repair of the dam’s appurtenant structures to prevent further damages. These include the replacement of the six rubber gates, improvement of the apron, training walls, main canals, laterals and other parts.

The memorandum of agreement (MOA) was signed between NIA administrator Florencio Padernal, National Power Corp.  (NPC) chair Gladys Cruz-Sta. Rita and MWSS administrator Gerardo Esquivel at the MWSS main office in Quezon City.

The signing of the agreement was witnessed by NIA Region 3 manager Josephine B. Salazar and National Water Resources Board (NWRB) director Jorge M. Estioko.

As stipulated in the agreement, MWSS will provide the funds and will maximize the use of the dam to ensure sufficiency of water supply in Metro Manila.  NPC, on the other hand, will use the dam to sustain its power generation capacity.

The Bustos Dam is a small irrigation dam located in the municipality of Bustos that has a holding capacity of 17 million cubic meters. It is also a regulator dam of the larger Angat Dam, hence, it is also called the Angat Afterbay Regulatory Dam.