NIA: No flood threat after Bustos Dam gate bursts

The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) on Friday assured the public there is no cause for alarm after one of the rubber gates at Bustos Dam burst, saying water flow has since returned to normal.

NIA Administrator Engr. Eduardo Guillen dismissed fears of large-scale flooding, clarifying that Bustos Dam is designed for diversion, not storage.

“It has a small impoundment. It will not cause floods," he added.

Authorities are still investigating the cause of the gate failure.

“There are six gates, and it was gate number three, the one at the center, that gave way. We are waiting for the final report to see what exactly happened and what can be done to restore it quickly,” Guillen said, noting that one possible reason for the burst was the gate's rubber construction.

The Bustos Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office earlier issued an advisory urging residents along riverbanks to remain alert and prepare for possible flooding.

However, officials say the situation is under control.

“By 4 PM yesterday, water flow had mostly normalized,” Guillen said. “As soon as the gate burst, we coordinated with Angat Dam to stop its irrigation releases, which helped prevent any overflow.”

Angat Dam, the primary water source for Metro Manila, supplies Ipo Dam— where drinking water is drawn — before diverting a portion of its flow to Bustos Dam for irrigation.