1 week ago
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CITY OF MALOLOS — Following the deflation of one of Bustos Dam's six rubber gates on May 1, Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council chairman and Gov. Daniel Fernando is demanding authorities to hold the dam's contractor accountable for "providing substandard materials."
In a coordination meeting between the provincial government of Bulacan and the National Irrigation Administration held on May 21 at the NIA Command Center in Quezon City, the governor has called on the House of Representatives to investigate the incident and summon executives and engineers from TP Construction, Inc. – Guangxi Hydroelectric Construction Bureau Co., Ltd. Consortium.
"Nananawagan ako sa kongreso, nananawagan po ako sa ating mga congressman at congresswoman, maaari po ba naipatawag natin sa kongreso 'yang contractor na 'yan para malaman at maimbestigahan 'yan (I am calling on our lawmakers, can we have that contractor summoned to Congress so that we can find out and investigate this)," Fernando said, emphasizing that NIA is the proper agency to make the request to congress.
The governor also pointed out to the NIA board of directors the urgent need to replace the five remaining rubber gates of Bustos Dam to avoid another incident as the rainy season draws near.
"Pagdating po ng tag-ulan, iyon po ang pinangangambahan namin. Kapag po dumating ang malalakas na ulan, na na-experience namin noong nakaraang taon, magpapakawala ng tubig, mamaya hindi na 'yan makayanan ng mga natitira pang gate, bigla nang sumabog. Ano na po ang gagawin natin? (When the rainy season comes, that's what we're worried. When the heavy rains come, which we experienced last year, water is released and the remaining gates won't be able to handle it, they'll suddenly burst. What are we going to do?)," Fernando added.
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Meanwhile, Rep. Danilo Domingo suggested that NIA use its entire allocated budget for the dam to replace the gates as soon as possible.
NIA sent a letter to the Office of the President dated May 7, requesting support in facilitating a budget allocation of P1.5 billion for the full rehabilitation of the rubber bladders in Bustos Dam.
NIA promised to take the lead in finding the appropriate resolution or action to repair the dam but asked for the support of the province to endorse the case in congress and the Office of the President, if necessary.
