The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) has assured the public that the sudden deflation of Rubber Gate No. 3 of the Angat Afterbay Regulator Dam, commonly known as Bustos Dam, located in Bustos, Bulacan, poses no immediate threat to the structure or the safety of nearby communities.
In an advisory issued Thursday, the NIA Region III – Central Luzon stated that the water pressure at the time of the incident was low.
This was based on the initial assessment of the NIA Bulacan Irrigation Management Office (IMO) Operations and Maintenance Team, which concluded that there is no immediate threat to the dam’s structure or to the safety of nearby communities.
"Batay sa paunang pagsusuri ng NIA Bulacan Irrigation Management Office (IMO) Operations and Maintenance Team, mababa ang pressure ng tubig sa oras ng insidente, kaya’t walang agarang banta sa istruktrura at kaligtasan ng mga kalapit na pamayanan," the advisory read.
Moreover, the NIA Region III – Central Luzon reported that containment and repair efforts were carried out to ensure public safety and the continued operation of irrigation services.
NIA then assured the public that there is no cause for concern, as the current water level in the dam remains low and is not expected to cause widespread flooding.
"Patuloy na nakikipag-ugnayan ang NIA sa mga lokal na pamahalaan at ahensya tungkol dito. Magbibigay ng karagdagang impormasyon ang NIA pagkatapos maisagawa ang karampatang pagsusuri," they added.
Earlier, the Baliwag City Public Information Office, through a Facebook post, advised residents in low-lying areas—particularly those living near the river—about the possible rise in water levels due to damage to the dam’s rubber gate.
BASAHIN: Inabisuhan ng Baliwag City PIO sa isang Facebook post ang mga residente ng lugar sa posibilidad na pagtaas ng tubig dahil sa nasirang Rubber Gate 3 ng Bustos Dam ngayong hapon. | DZRH News pic.twitter.com/yj0s02JXCX
— DZRH NEWS (@dzrhnews) May 1, 2025
Similarly, the Bustos Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) advised riverside residents to remain alert and prepare for possible flooding.
