‘Angat can withstand strong quake

MALOLOS, Philippines – Angat Dam has already been retrofitted to withstand a strong earthquake, officials said yesterday. Sevillo David Jr., executive director of the National Water Resources Board, said the rehabilitation of Angat Dam in Bula- can, the primary source of water supply in Metro Manila, was done two years ago.

In light of the series of earthquakes that rocked Mindanao, David said they have anticipated the “Big One” that might occur so they decided to strengthen the dam structure.

Dam officials earlier explained the main supply for the domestic water needs for Metro Manila comes from Angat Dam that flows down toward Ipo Dam then La Mesa Dam, before final distribution to the Balara Water Filtration Plant then to households in Metro Manila. Meanwhile, an environmentalist group in Bulacan raised the scenario of a major earthquake striking the province and where the evacuation centers should be located.

Martin Francisco, chairman of the Sa- gip Sierra Madre Environmental Society Inc., pointed out the risk of an “Angat Dam break scenario” where villages would be in harm’s way should the dam break during a major earthquake.

“We are reiterating our call to the lo- cal government units of Bulacan to make public where the evacuation centers are located in case a strong earthquake hits the West Valley Fault Line, causing the destruction of the Angat, Ipo and Bustos dams,” he said.