Angat Dam irrigation water release starts

MALOLOS, Philippines —  Angat Dam has started releasing water to irrigate rice fields in Bulacan and parts of Pampanga.

In an interview over Newsline 103.1 FM yesterday, Josephine Salazar, National Irrigation Administration-Central Luzon director, confirmed that NIA released irrigation water to its north zone service areas in late December.

This was after the spill gates of Angat Dam were opened when the water level  reached its normal high of 212 meters.

Salazar said the original schedule for the release of irrigation water from Angat Dam is from Jan. 2 to May 15.

She expressed confidence that the high water level in the reservoir would be enough for the dry cropping season despite the El Niño phenomenon.

The water level in the dam was monitored at 214.08 meters as of yesterday morning.

Bustos Dam, also known as the Angat Afterbay Regulator Dam, distributes irrigation water from Angat Dam through its north, south and Angat-Bustos-Pandi irrigation zone canals.

Water release from Angat Dam was terminated on Wednesday as rainfall in its watershed stopped.

Discharge of water from Ipo Dam, where water from Angat Dam flows, was also terminated.

Officials have stressed the need to conserve water in preparation for El Niño, which is expected to last until the first half of this year.