Bulakenyos preparing for ‘clear and present danger’

By: James Sebastian U. Bendijo

Over 12,000 Bulakenyos, mostly students from several colleges in Bulacan, joined the Angat Dam Break Drill as they prepare for danger that the earthquake might bring to the 44 year old Angat Dam. Governor Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado did not hesitate to discuss the situation that the Bulakenyos might face.

The Governor stated that a 7.2 magnitude of earthquake can cause serious damage to the Angat Dam which contains 815 million metric tons of water. This earthquake could be possible due to the active Marikina Fault Line lying underneath the Angat Dam itself. Since 2009, Alvarado has raised the issue to the national government as experts have said that the Fault Line is approaching its 200 year-cycle which presents clear danger.

“The danger of movement of soil is near within a period of three years, but 2009 nang ako’y magdeliver ng privilege speech, it was already four years ago, hinog na hinog na,” added Alvarado.

“Kung ang lupa sa ilalim ay gagalaw, it will induce an tremor, an earthquake of 7.2 magnitude, kaya ba ito ng Angat Dam?” stated Alvarado. This has been the question that looms over Bulakenyos.

“Ayon sa pag-aaral, ang ating Dam which is carrying 815 million metric tons of water, ay magdadala ng 30 metrong lalim ng tubig sa lalawigan ng Bulacan, Pampanga at Metro Manila,” Alvarado explained. According to him, as the father of Bulacan, it is only right that he organized the drill to make Bulakenyos ready.

Rehabilitation for Angat Dam inevitable

Governor Alvarado also said the repair for Angat Dam is inevitable. There is a possibility that the Dam could withstand the earthquake if repaired and rehabilitated. President Benigno Aquino III has already released 5.7 billion last year to be use for the operation.

But the Governor lamented that up until now, the fund has not been used and it is not known who will rehabilitate the Dam. “Bakit hanggang ngayon, hindi pa ginagastos kahit ni isang sentimo, para patibayin ang istruktura ng Angat Dam,” said Alvarado. He cited that due to technicalities, the plan to repair the Dam has not pushed through.

“Dinedebate pa nila hanggang ngayon kung sino ba ang magpapagawa, ang national government ba o ang K-Water na Koreano, hindi tayo pagmamalasakitan ng mga Koreano, nandito lamang sila para magnegosyo,” expressed Alvarado. He said that it is up to the Bulakenyos and also Filipinos to repair the Dam.

“Prevention is better than cure, para maiwasan ang pagdating ng sakuna, dulot ng Angat Dam, may pera naman, gastusin na, nang gayo’y makatulog na ang mga Bulakenyo,” urged Alvarado.

Back in 2009, Alvarado has already expressed disgust that the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) have been ignoring the Dam’s situation and is only concern of water supply for Metro Manila residents.

“Inilihim nila sa ating mga taga-Bulacan sa loob ng matagal na panahon ang tunay na kondisyon ng Angat Dam kahit ito ay parang bibitin-biting tabak ni Damocles na maaaring bumagsak anumang oras sa ating mga leeg at mangahulugan ng tuluyang paglalipol n gating lipi sa balat ng lupang Bulacan,” lamented Alvarado.

“At ngayon, sa halip na pagtuunan ng pansin ang bagay na ito at paglaanan ng pondo ang pagkukumpuni at restorasyon ng Angat Dam upang mailigtas ang libu-libong mga naninirahan sa lalawigan mula sa kapahamakan, ay pagtatayo ng isang bagong Dam ang kanilang inaatupag at pingkakaabalahan. At ang kanilang ikinababahala ay ang inumin ng mga taga-Metro Manila sa 2015!” added Alvarado.

Those were the statements of Governor Alvarado back in 2009 as for years he continued to push the rehabilitation.

Preparing for worst-case scenario

As a result of endless debate on who will repair the aging Angat Dam, Governor Alvarado along with Bulacan officials, volunteers, NGOs have organized the Angat Dam Break Drill in Malolos.

“Iba pa rin yung nakapag-handa tayo, para alam natin kung saan tayo pupwesto, saan tayo pupunta, ano yung mga magiging pangngailangan natin kung sakaling may ganitong klase ng sakuna,” said Jem Castro, captain of Malolos Rescue.

In case any disasters such as storm or earthquake happen aside from the feared Dam Break, the Bulacan Sports Complex in Sta. Isabel will be the permanent evacuation site according to Castro. “Ayon kasi sa ginawang pag-aaral ng mga government officials natin, itong lugar na ito ang medyo mataas, ito yung pinaka-safe na area dito sa lugar ng Bulacan na kung saan pwede tayong magdala ng thousands of evacuees na pwedeng magkasya dito,” explained Castro.

“Ito yung pinaka safe na lugar, siguro kung may ibang evacuation site, outside Bulacan na,” added Castro.

He indicated that as the captain of Malolos Rescue, he assured that come disaster, their unit along with other rescue units will be prepared to rescue those who are in need. He said that they are well-trained and has government’s full support in terms of equipment.

Concerning disaster drills, Governor Alvarado has indicated that starting 2014, he will use an executive order to bring down this kind of drills to municipality, further preparing Bulakenyos for the worst to come.