Bulacan gov urges gov't to replace Bustos Dam's rubber gates to stop flooding, agri losses

Bulacan Governor Daniel Fernando has appealed to the national government, particularly the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), to take immediate actions in replacing Bustos Dam's rubber gates to prevent further flooding and agricultural losses in the province.

- By FREDDIE VELEZ

"They must act on the immediate removal and replacement of the six rubber gates of the Bustos Dam. If not, the Bulacan government will not hesitate to file civil and criminal cases against those who are involved in this matter," Fernando said during a press conference held in the City of Meycauayan on Sunday, May 4. He warned that if the remaining rubber gates of Bustos Dam are damaged one after the other, it could adversely impact around 15,706 hectares of rice and vegetable and 12,904 farmers with an estimated loss of P880,964,445 million to P2,690,255,147 billion to the agriculture sector, and could negatively affect 80 barangays from Bulacan and Pampanga with an expected loss of lives in thousands.