P15-billion Tarlac dam project underway

ANGELES CITY, Philippines – The construction of the P15-billion Balog-Balog mega dam in Tarlac, a project initiated way back during the term of President Aquino’s mother, former President Corazon Aquino, will finally start in July, the National Irrigation Authority (NIA) said yesterday.

Balog-Balog Multipurpose Project manager Vicente Vicmudo said the “rock-fill dam” will be 113.5 meters from the riverbed to the crest and will have a water storage capacity of 625 million cubic meters.

Once fully operational by 2016, the dam is projected to boost palay yield by 116.7 thousand metric tons per year with an estimated value of $34.72 million and tilapia production by 94,000 MT per year worth P506 million.

Vicmudo said the dam project will also include a re-servoir of around 150 hectares for tilapia production.

The Peasant Alliance of Central Luzon, however, said the government has yet to make a clear stand on the fate of some 500 families, mostly Aberlin Aetas, as well as other Aeta sub-groups in 27 communities, which the project would displace.

The PACL said the dam project has been on the government’s drawing board since 1988, but was shelved after the 1990 earthquake destroyed large infrastructure in Central and North Luzon.