A single government entity must decide on the release of water from dams in times of typhoons and other natural calamities, Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año said Sunday.
(PCOO / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
In a disaster relief briefing convened by President Duterte in Cagayan, Año proposed the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) should approve the timely water release from reservoirs to prevent massive flooding during the onset of typhoons.
At present, Año noted that various dam operators have their own protocols on the release of water from reservoirs.
"We will propose na in times of calamities and typhoons, dapat may nagko-control diyan sino, kailan bubuksan ang dam. Kasi kailangan before the bagyo, puwede na tayo magbukas. lalo na kung mayroon tayong forecast kung gaano kalaki ‘yung ulan na darating (We will propose in times of calamities and typhoons, there must be someone that will control, decide when to open the dams. Because before the onset of the storm, we can already open the gates especially if we have a forecast on the amount of rainfall)," he said.
"I will propose na pag-usapan sa NDRRMC sa time of calamity at typhoon, ang NDRRMC ang magbibigay ng approval kung kailan magbukas, ilang gate para controlled natin (I will propose to discuss in the NDRRMC (meeting) that in time of calamity and typhoon, the NDRRMC will give the approval when the gates will be opened so we can control it)," he said.
The DILG official admitted that some local government units have expressed concern on the recent release of water from dams, which they claimed have aggravated the latest massive flooding in Metro Manila and nearby regions.
He added that it was unfortunate that six storms have hit the country in the past four months, causing soil saturation.
"Talagang parang ang lupa talagang na-saturate ng tubig. Nadagdagan pa ng pagpapalabas ng tubig sa dam. Anim na dam ang nagbukas ng tubig at ito ay nakadagdag sa pagbaha (The soil have really become saturated with water. It was aggravated by the release of water from dams. Six dams have released water, which contributed to the flooding)," he said.
Año said the proposed designation of single authority would help "manage and synchronize" the opening of the dam gates during calamities.
"In normal times they follow their protocols but during typhoons, there must be someone managing the opening of the dams in order to control the flow of water that would affect the LGUs and induce flooding," he said.
He added that Magat Dam authorities will be invited to the next NDRRMC meeting to discuss the matter.
Many towns in Cagayan have been flooded following the onslaught of typhoon “Ulysses.” Local disaster response authorities reported 24 casualties in Cagayan while more than 300,000 people have been affected by the massive flooding. The cost of damage in agriculture and infrastructure have been reported soared over a billion in the province.