GMA releases P20 M for Umiray Dam repair

President Arroyo approved the release yesterday of P20 million for the repair and cleaning of the Umiray Dam in Aurora province.

The dam, which faces Aurora, normally supplies at least 30 percent of the potable water supply in Metro Manila. It was severely damaged by logs and mudslides last Nov. 29 at the height of typhoon "Winnie."

In a hastily organized press briefing at Malacañang, Mrs. Arroyo blamed human activity for aggravating the damage wrought by natural calamities like typhoons.

"The damage to the Umiray tunnels is unprecedented and shows how the plunder of the environment elsewhere in a distant place can wreak havoc on the water supply of Metro Manila," she said.

Mrs. Arroyo said the damage sustained by the dam was a "grim warning as well as a wake-up call" for Filipinos, even those living in urban centers, to be more aware about the environment.

"The government is working round the clock to repair the damage. But this incident should galvanize Metro Manilans to… support the anti-illegal logging campaign by word and deed and back legislation to save our forests," she said.

Mrs. Arroyo appeared concerned that the damage to the dam could lead to more harm and devastation if not repaired.

Plans for Mrs. Arroyo to inspect the dam were postponed because of bad weather.

"I wanted to go, but we cannot. It’s not accessible by helicopter. The weather conditions did not allow it. So we’ll try to do it again some time," she said.

Mrs. Arroyo instead met at Malacañang with officials of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) led by administrator Orlando Honrade, who showed her photos of the damaged dam and its tunnels clogged by mudslides and logs.

In a press briefing yesterday, Honrade said the MWSS had already started work on the tunnels using the initial fund of P20 million.

He said he himself had to walk seven hours to inspect the Umiray Dam because the access roads to the dam were themselves clogged and rendered impassable by logs and landslides.

He said that a 13-kilometer section of the tunnel that brings water from the Umiray River in General Nakar, Quezon, to Angat Dam was washed out by landslides and floating logs.

Honrade said the government had to resort to manual labor to remove the debris because "we cannot bring the heavy equipment yet because of the damage in access roads."

Defense Undersecretary Ernesto Carolina said soldiers from 702nd Brigade of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), under Col. Ruben Rafael, were sent to the area to help in the repair and clean-up of the Umiray Dam in addition to providing security.

Honrade said the soldiers are being assisted by some 50 natives or Dumagats.

Honrade allayed fears that the damage to the dam will disrupt the supply of water to Metro Manila or result in any water rate increase beyond the increases already approved by the MWSS for Manynilad service areas.

"In the meantime, Metro Manila has no problem with water because Angat’s elevation is about 214.43, which can sustain the use of water in Metro Manila and even the farmers of Bulacan up to April," he said.

Honrade said the dam should reopen next month on Jan 15, 2005, "as per instructions of the president to fast track" its repair.