Bustos Dam Releases Excess Water for Irrigation

MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan, Philippines — The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) commenced the release of excess water from Bustos Dam for irrigation purposes, directing it to its north and south canals starting Sunday. The Bustos Dam began its water release after its water level reached 15.9 meters, just 10 centimeters shy of its spilling level. Enrique Carlos, manager of the NIA's Bulacan Irrigation Management Office, stated that the volume released by the dam is being utilized to supply four cubic meters of water per second to the north and south main canals. Carlos elaborated that the south canal provides water for rice lands in the towns of Bulakan and Plaridel, while the north canal supplies farms in the towns of Baliwag and Pulilan in Bulacan, as well as San Luis and Candaba towns in Pampanga. The Bulacan provincial agriculture office has set a target for planting rice crops on 34,300 hectares of land. The enhanced water supply from the dam is expected to be a significant support in achieving this goal. In the Philippines, agriculture, particularly rice farming, forms the bedrock of national food security and the economy, making a stable water supply critically important. The management and release of water from Bustos Dam can significantly impact agricultural output throughout the year.