At the Ipo Dam, the President unveiled the P3.3-billion water transmission project to improve the delivery of water from Bulacan to Metro Manila through the upgrading of a decades- old tunnel where water flows from Ipo to Angat Dam, the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) here said.
The so-called Angat Water Transmission Improvement Project (AWTIP) in Ipo Dam, located in Norzagaray, Bulacan, is being undertaken by the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS).
The MWSS said the project involves the “design and construction of a new tunnel, called Tunnel No. 4, which is necessary to mitigate the risk of a partial or total disruption of water supply for Metro Manila.”
“Expected to be finished by 2020, AWTIP is aimed at ensuring sustained and secured water supply for highly populous Metro Manila, Rizal, Bulacan and portions of Cavite, servicing about 14 million people,” MWSS noted.
MWSS said that “ the present water transmission system’s main components are roughly 75 years old, in poor condition and most likely not compliant with current structural and seismic requirements.”
Through ADB funding, Tunnel 4 will provide redundancy and allow further rehabilitation work on the raw water transmission system, and ensure sustainable provision of water supply, it added.
In the town of San Jose in Tarlac, the President launched the Balog- Balog Multipurpose Project Phase II (BBMP II).
In a statement, National Irrigation Administration (NIA) said “ BBMP II involves the construction of an earthfill dam at the upper Bulsa River as well as irrigation canals and structures.”
“It will provide irrigation services to 21,935 hectares new areas as well as stabilize irrigation supply to the existing 12,475 hectares service area of BBMP Phase I for a total service area of 34,410 hectares at full development,” NIA said.
An estimated 23,000 farmers in the municipalities of Paniqui, Pura, Ramos, Victoria, Gerona, San Jose, La Paz, Capas, and Concepcion and Tarlac City will benefit from the project.
“BBMP II will also be utilized for flood control, inland fish production, and potential power generation of 43.5MW,” NIA reported.
In Cabanatuan City, the President inaugurated the 10-megawatt solar project of the First Cabanatuan Renewable Venture Inc. (FCRVI) at its Solar Farm in Barangay Lourdes.
In a statement, FCRVI said the P710-million project is expected to help in the carbon reduction of at least 16,500 metric tons annually or 330,000 metric tons over 20 years.
“We also established a viewing room for students to learn more about renewable energy specifically solar energy and we now help electrify off grid areas through distribution of Solar Small Home Systems,” FCRVI added.
