Korea, NEDA assure fund OK for Bohol dam project

TAGBILARAN CITY, Philippines – Commitment for approval of funds for a feasibility study on the Bohol Northeast Basin Multi-Purpose Dam project in Danao town, 92 kilometers north from this city, has been assured by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA)-Philippines and the NEDA’s Investment Coordination Committee-Technical Board (ICC-TB).

KOICA-Philippines resident representative Jinoh Kim and NEDA deputy director Rolando Tungpalan, chair of the NEDA ICC-TB, recently relayed this matter to project proponent Rep. Erico Aumentado (2nd district, Bohol).

The multi-purpose dam, which is part of the Bohol Irrigation Project Phase 3, was already endorsed by the Central Visayas Regional Development Council, chaired by Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia on Nov. 28 last year, and the latest NEDA ICC-TB endorsement “will boost the fast-tracking of fund release by KOICA under its Official Development Assistance,” Aumentado said.

Aumentado cited also the pre-feasibility study done by the NIA 7, then headed by Modesto Membreve, showed that the dam can irrigate another 19.071 hectares more of rice fields in the towns of Danao, San Miguel, Trinidad, Dagohoy, Bien Unido and Ubay.

A parallel study conducted by private companies also projected that the dam can generate 10 megawatts of hydroelectric power and domestic water supply for Danao, Dagohoy and San Miguel towns. It can also serve as a flood control facility for low-lying areas in those towns as well as in Inabanga town.

Aumentado added that the dam can be developed into a major agri-tourism destination in Bohol’s 2nd district. “The dam site is located in a huge water basin, abutting Carmen, Dagohoy, Danao and San Miguel, which was used as sanctuary of NPA rebels in the past. Turning the basin into the dam reservoir would deny these rebels access to their hideout,” he said. - THE FREEMAN