MALOLOS CITY—In case the Angat Dam burst and flooded the province, Bulacan disaster officials claimed they are ready to respond, but Bulakenyos who experienced the disastrous 1978 flood doubt their capabilities and preparedness of equipment and facilities.
Felicisima Mungcal, head of the Provincial Disaster Management Office (PDMO), said they have protocol in place, but noted that Bulakenyos should also be prepared.
“We are ready to address disasters, but no one can predict when disasters will come, kaya mas mabuti handa lahat,” Mungcal said in a telephone interview on Friday.
She was referring to the warning issued last week by Philippine Institute of Volcanology (Phivolcs) Director Renato Solidum to Bulacan officials to prepare for the worse as he confirmed that the main dike of the 41-year old Angat Dam is sitting near the Marikina fault line.
Mungcal noted that the provincial government has an ongoing disaster mitigation program that include an early warning system, response program, and an evacuation system that is coordinated with local government units and other national government agencies.
When asked on the availability of equipment, skilled manpower and medical facilities where victims and survivors can be housed, she said they have enough.
“Our local government units have equipment and facilities, and manpower along with about 10 disaster volunteer groups in the province,” she said as she tried to allay fears on the possible repeat of the October 27, 1978 disaster that left a number of Bulakenyos dead and millions worth of properties and crops were ravaged.
The 1978 disaster was described by the National Power Corporation as an “extraordinary flood.” It stemmed from heavy rains brought by typhoon Kading that forced Napocor to open the floodgates of the Angat Dam then.
However, the floodgates were opened too wide and caused flood waters to instantly rise and inundated a large part of Bulacan and Pampanga for almost a month.
As this developed, Bulakenyos who experienced the disastrous 1978 flood said Bulacan is not ready to address another disaster of the same scale.
“Sa tingin ko hindi handa ang Bulacan sakaling maulit yung pagbaha noong 1978, dapat kumilos sila ngayon,” said Nemecio Sabino of Hagonoy town which was underwater for more than a month in 1978.
The same was echoed by Vice Mayor Elmer Santos and Board Member Patrocinio Laderas who are both residents of Hagonoy town.
“In case of disastrous flood, no way we can prevent it. The 1978 disaster was man-made,” Laderas said and added, “earthquakes can never be predicted, if Angat Dam lies within the fault line, it is everybody’s concern.”
For her part, Mara Bautista of the Bulacan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) said, “mayaman tayo sa human resources equipped with strongest faith. But for materials, money and machines, we are always impoverished. Let’s continue to pray for the Lord to spare us from disasters.”
Felicisima Mungcal, head of the Provincial Disaster Management Office (PDMO), said they have protocol in place, but noted that Bulakenyos should also be prepared.
“We are ready to address disasters, but no one can predict when disasters will come, kaya mas mabuti handa lahat,” Mungcal said in a telephone interview on Friday.
She was referring to the warning issued last week by Philippine Institute of Volcanology (Phivolcs) Director Renato Solidum to Bulacan officials to prepare for the worse as he confirmed that the main dike of the 41-year old Angat Dam is sitting near the Marikina fault line.
Mungcal noted that the provincial government has an ongoing disaster mitigation program that include an early warning system, response program, and an evacuation system that is coordinated with local government units and other national government agencies.
When asked on the availability of equipment, skilled manpower and medical facilities where victims and survivors can be housed, she said they have enough.
“Our local government units have equipment and facilities, and manpower along with about 10 disaster volunteer groups in the province,” she said as she tried to allay fears on the possible repeat of the October 27, 1978 disaster that left a number of Bulakenyos dead and millions worth of properties and crops were ravaged.
The 1978 disaster was described by the National Power Corporation as an “extraordinary flood.” It stemmed from heavy rains brought by typhoon Kading that forced Napocor to open the floodgates of the Angat Dam then.
However, the floodgates were opened too wide and caused flood waters to instantly rise and inundated a large part of Bulacan and Pampanga for almost a month.
As this developed, Bulakenyos who experienced the disastrous 1978 flood said Bulacan is not ready to address another disaster of the same scale.
“Sa tingin ko hindi handa ang Bulacan sakaling maulit yung pagbaha noong 1978, dapat kumilos sila ngayon,” said Nemecio Sabino of Hagonoy town which was underwater for more than a month in 1978.
The same was echoed by Vice Mayor Elmer Santos and Board Member Patrocinio Laderas who are both residents of Hagonoy town.
“In case of disastrous flood, no way we can prevent it. The 1978 disaster was man-made,” Laderas said and added, “earthquakes can never be predicted, if Angat Dam lies within the fault line, it is everybody’s concern.”
For her part, Mara Bautista of the Bulacan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) said, “mayaman tayo sa human resources equipped with strongest faith. But for materials, money and machines, we are always impoverished. Let’s continue to pray for the Lord to spare us from disasters.”
