Buoyed by a call from President-elect Rodrigo Duterte days before the May 9, 2016 election, 2nd district Congressman Aristotle “Aris” Aumentado expressed confidence that his “mega dam” pet project will get the approval of the incoming administration.

This was the statement by Antonietto Pernia, spokesperson of Aumentado during an interview over DYRD “Inyong Alagad” on May 24, 2016.

Pernia said that the planned P4.7 billion mega dam which will be constructed in Danao will irrigate 19,000 hectares and benefit more than 18,000 farmers in the second district.

Aumentado’s priority project, according to Pernia will also provide 10 megawatts of hydro-electric power and will have a flood control component with the provision of catchment basins where run-off water from the dams will flow.

The proposed dam will also supply potable water to households in the towns of the 2nd district where the incidence of poverty is high.

According to Pernia, agricultural lands in the mainland of Bien Unido, 75% of the arable land in Trinidad, and farmlands in San Miguel to Ubay and parts of Dagohoy will benefit from the completion of the mega dam.

Recreational facilities and a trading center for the district’s farm produce are being mulled as part of the wide range of economic, environmental and social benefits that the dam will provide.

The project is now in it’s pre-feasibility stage and the full blown feasibility study will soon be started, according to Pernia.

Malinao Dam, located in Pilar is now undergoing a P653 million upgrade to enlarge the service area and maximize the use of the Bayongan and Capayas dams which rely mainly for water from Malinao.

Malinao dam was constructed at a cost of P1.4 billion in 1995 to catch water from the Wahig-Pamacsalan River and irrigate more than 4,960 hectares of prime agricultural lands. (Chito M. Visarra)