Aumentado, NIA proposed dam project a step closer to realization

the late Cong. Erico B. Aumentado

By Marlon Balmadrid

QUEZON CITY – The proposed Bohol Northeast Multi Purpose Dam for Irrigation and Hydro Power project envisioned by the late Rep. Erico B. Aumentado (2nd District, Bohol) together with the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) is getting closer to realization as the project only needs the indorsement of the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) for its eventual implementation and construction. The good news was shared by no other than the late solon’s son Erico Aristotle “Aris” Aumentado, who is closely monitoring the developments of various projects left behind by his father.

The proposed multi purpose dam project will be located in the municipality of Danao, Province of Bohol. The project seeks to provide irrigation services for the farmers in the municipalities of Danao, San Miguel, Trinidad, Dagohoy, Bien Unido and Ubay.

In a pre-feasibility study conducted by NIA Region 7, the proposed project can irrigate a total of 19,071 hectares in the towns of Danao, San Miguel, Trinidad, Dagohoy, Bien Unido and Ubay.

The study also showed that based on the dependable water supply of Wahig River which is capable of storing 15.3 million cubic meters of water backed up with a 105.25 sq. kilometer watershed, a 10.0 megawatts of hydro electric power can also be developed including domestic water supply for the municipalities of Danao, Dagohoy and San Miguel.

In a letter addressed to NEDA ICC Technical Board Deputy Director General and Chairman, Rolando G. Tungpalan, the late solon requested for the facilitation of the indorsement of the project. Once approved, the project is set to be funded by the Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) under its Official Development Assistance (ODA) facility.

The Central Visayas Regional Development Council thru RDC Resolution No. 58 (S. 2011) has already indorsed the conduct of the feasibility study and detailed engineering design for the proposed multi purpose dam for funding by KOICA.

Indicated in the NIA Region 7 pre-feasibility study, the general objective of the proposed project is to provide substantial and dependable water supply for irrigation services to support the agricultural development program of the government.

For its specific objectives, the dam aims to provide dependable irrigation water supply in the northeastern part of Bohol and consequently generate cheaper and renewable source of energy to augment the local electric power needs, develop new and improved communities via a comprehensive resettlement and livelihood program for affected residents, provide a dependable source of potable water to adjacent communities, mitigate the impact of climate change by reducing the occurrence of flash floods in the municipalities of Danao and Inabanga and to serve as a new alternative eco-tourism attraction in the area.

Being a large irrigation project, Aumentado strongly believed that it will surely help boost rice production in the area, alleviating the living conditions of the farmers in the countryside, play a key role in attaining the goal for rice self sufficiency and solidifying Bohol’s claim as the rice granary of the region.

The proposed Bohol Northeast Multi Purpose Dam is among the projects on stream being worked out by Aumentado for the benefit of the 2nd District and Bohol in general, up until his untimely demise due to complications brought about by pneumonia last Dec. 25, 2012.

Once completed, the project will consist of a main dam having a maximum of 100 meters in height and 1,200 meters in length, plus four supplementary dams having a 60 meter average height and 400 meter average length.

The estimated project cost is pegged at around $182 million.