Bulacan mulls class suit over dam water release

MALOLOS, Philippines – The provincial government of Bulacan is preparing to file a class suit against several government agencies over the release of water from Angat, Bustos and Ipo Dams at the height of Typhoon Nona.

In a press briefing yesterday, Bulacan Gov. Wilhelmino Sy Alvarado said the release of water from the dams aggravated flooding in Nueva Ecija and Pampanga, and submerged the towns of Pulilan, Calumpit and Paombong in Bulacan.

Sy said their lawyers are preparing the charges against officials of the National Power Corp., National Irrigation Authority, Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System and the National Water Resources Board.

He said Angat Dam released 900 cubic meters per second of water while Bustos Dam released 400 cms, inundating 26 and 16 barangays in Calumpit and Hagonoy, respectively.

“This is mind-boggling. I can’t understand why they continue to release water even though the miserable condition of residents of Calumpit and Hagonoy is all over the news,” Sy said.

“These agencies should be bracing for the effects of El Niño and not…releasing water to wreak havoc on the lives of the people of Calumpit and Hagonoy, “ he added.

More than 70,000 families were affected by the flooding in 23 barangays in Calumpit, 16 in Hagonoy and parts of Paombong and Pulilan.

Damage to fisheries was estimated to breach P25 million while damage to rice and other crops was pegged at P5.6 million.