CITY OF ILAGAN, Isabela (PIA) - - Senator Imee Marcos led the groundbreaking for the retrofitting works of the Magat Dam held on April 22, 2023 during her visit to Isabela.

Marcos, together with Provincial Officials of Isabela and National Irrigation Administration - Magat River Integrated Irrigation System (NIA-MRIIS) officials, were one in the objective to retrofit the Magat Dam which has been existing and operational for four decades already.

Marcos said she alloted P250 million as additional funds to NIA for the retrofitting works of the dam.

She said the dam was constructed in 1976 and was formally inaugurated on October 1982 during the time of his late father, President Ferdinand Marcos Sr.

Meanwhile, NIA-MRIIS Department Manager Engr. Gileu Michael Dimoloy said that the life span of the dam is nearly reached and the retrofitting works will further extend its lifespan up to a hundred years.

He said that the dam has been tested by natural calamities like earthquakes and typhoons. NIA always conduct repairs and rehabilitations whenever there are damages caused by calamities to ensure its structural integrity and stability. 

Dimoloy said the NIA-MRIIS management recently prepared a program of work for the retrofitting of the Magat Dam concrete structure, clustered into three parts – spillway and bridge, spillway short lock and drainage galleries.

The NIA-MARIIS official is hopeful that the retrofitting works will be completed as scheduled as he lauded the support of Sen. Marcos and NIA Acting Administrator for providing funds for the dam’s retrofitting. (OTB/MGE/PIA Isabela)