Defective Bustos Dam gate replaced

MALOLOS, Philippines — A new rubber gate of Bustos Dam was installed yesterday, according to the National Irrigation Administration.

Josephine Salazar, NIA-Central Luzon director, said local contractor ITP Construction Inc. and its Chinese supplier Guangxi Hydroelectric Construction Bureau Co. Ltd. replaced the defective rubber gate.

She said the rubber gate has been inflated and final testing on its operability has started.

The five other rubber gates of the dam have been inspected for structural integrity.

Bulacan Gov. Daniel Fernando had earlier warned the contractor and Chinese supplier of the rubbber gates that they face civil and criminal cases for ignoring follow-ups and demand letters that the provincial government and NIA sent.

Fernando said all the rubber gates under warranty should be replaced.

He said the delay in the rehabilitation of the damaged rubber gate could affect around 15,706 hectares of rice and vegetable farms as well as 2,904 farmers.

Bustos Dam cannot store excess water released from Angat Dam while Rubber Gate No. 5 is being rehabilitated.