Dumagat tribe's livelihood affected by the depleting water level in Angat Dam

Members of the Dumagat tribe residing in Sitio Pinag-anakan in Norzagaray, Bulacan are experiencing the adverse impact of the depleting water level in Angat Dam to their livelihood.

According to a report by Mariz Umali in GMA's 24 Oras on Tuesday, the water level in Angat Dam is only a little over 158 meters, which is already below the critical level of 160 meters.

"Pababa na po nang pababa ang aming tubig kaya po kaming mga katutubo rito, hirap na ring maghakot ng aming mga kalakal na dadalhin po sa dam para maibenta namin. Pangalawa, itong mga isda namin, puro kami mangingisda ang mga katutubo rito, 'yan lang po ang aming tanging hanap-buhay. Itong tubig namin talagang mabaho na, putik na may kahalong tubig," said Ricardo San Jose, vice president of the Angat River Fishermen Association.

San Jose added that in his 40 years of residency in the area, this was the worst scenario that he witnessed.

"Mula 2004 bumaba 'yung tubig namin dito pero 'di ganito kalaki. Siguro pagsubok po ng Panginoon sa amin ito," he said.

Meanwhile, local trader Richard Eranesta said his travel time in transporting vegetables using a small boat was extended by three hours because of the low water level in the area.

He has to walk and push the boat because the water is already too shallow.

"Lulubog na po kaya hindi makasakay gawa ng alon at babaw. Ang hirap, hindi pa nga ho ako nag-uumagahan ay hanggang tanghali na ako naglulusong. Wala ng ibang hanapbuhay," Eranesta said.

The National Water Resource Board earlier said the water level in Angat Dam could reach 154 or 155 meters in the following weeks—a projection lower than the all-time low of 157.57 meters which recorded in 2010.

Amid this crisis, the Dumagat tribe hopes that the tropical depression Dodong will bring rains to their area and replenish the water level in Angat Dam. — Dona Magsino/BAP, GMA News