NIA reduces irrigation allocation from Angat Dam

MALOLOS , Philippines — The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) has reduced its allocation for rice fields in Bulacan and parts of Pampanga as the water level in Angat Dam continues to recede.

As of 8 a.m. yesterday, the Bulacan provincial disaster risk reduction office said water in the dam was monitored at 193.68 meters, which is only 13.68 meters above its minimum operating level of 180 meters.

The dam’s end-of-the-year normal high water level is 212 meters.

At 180 meters, Angat Dam operators usually stop the release of irrigation allocation to reserve its supply for Metro Manila residents.

Josephine Salazar, NIA regional director for Central Luzon, had earlier said the irrigation diversion requirement for the Bulacan south zone service areas during the dry season is at 12.15 cubic meters per second (cms).

For the north zone service area or in the remaining parts of Bulacan and parts of Pampanga, the irrigation requirement is 28 cms.

Robert dela Cruz, NIA provincial manager for Bulacan, said irrigation diversions being served by Bustos Dam were also reduced to seven cms for the south zone  and 15 cms for the north zone.

The National Water Resources Board has been appealing to the public to conserve water as Angat Dam’s elevation drops.