Increased irrigation allocation from Angat Dam sought

MALOLOS , Philippines – Bulacan farmers have appealed for increased allocation for irrigation as the water level in Angat Dam continues to rise.

Data from the Bulacan provincial disaster risk reduction and management office (PDRRMO) showed that the dam’s water elevation was recorded at 203.71 meters as of 8 a.m. yesterday, an increase of around one meter compared to Thursday.

The PDRRMO said monsoon rains until Monday are expected to fill Angat Dam.

Bulacan Gov. Daniel Fernando set a dialogue of farmer leaders and officials of the National Irrigation Administration yesterday in response to the request of farmers to intercede on their behalf with the National Water Resources Board (NWRB).

Fernando said it is likely that the NWRB would increase its allocation for irrigation from 10 cubic meters per second to 20 cms. The normal allocation is 40 cms.

 “We are reviewing current rainfall data with the continuing increase in the water level in Angat Dam. This should give us some basis on how much increase can be considered on top of the current allocation,” NWRB executive director Sevillo David Jr. told The STAR.

Only farms in Baliwag, parts of Calumpit, Pulilan, San Ildefonso and San Rafael in Bulacan as well as San Simon, Apalit, Candaba and San Luis in Pampanga are currently receiving irrigation allocation from Angat Dam.

The dam supplies the bulk of water to irrigate 12,000 hectares of rice fields in Bulacan and 9,000 hectares in Pampanga.