Bulacan Gov. Daniel R. Fernando and the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) went to Barangay Matictic in Norzagaray town on Saturday, Jan. 7, to distribute around 1,000 grocery packs and ready-to-eat foods to the families affected by flash floods caused by the release of water from Angat, Ipo and Bustos Dams.
Fernando, along with PSWDO chief Rowena Joson Tiongson, talked to the flood victims sheltered at the evacuation center in the village to know their needs.
There are over 500 families affected by the flash flood, the local government said.
The Bulacan governor apologized to the victims for what happened. He said the water level of Angat Dam is still above the normal level of 212 meters, forcing them to release the excess water.
The affected families are those residing near the rivers of Barangays Matictic, Poblacion, San Mateo, and San Lorenzo.
It was learned that as of 6 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 6, three gates of Angat Dam were opened. Six Ipo Dam gates and three Bustos Dam gates were also opened.
The Bulacan Rescue said they rescued some residents trapped in the flood on Jan. 6.
The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Office (PDRRMO) said that as of 8 a.m. on January 7, the water level of Angat Dam was at 214.80 meters; Ipo Dam at 101.04 meters, and Bustos Dam at 17.42 meters, all above the spilling level.
As of press time, Gov. Fernando and the PDRRMO were closely monitoring the release of water from the three big dams in Bulacan.