Malacañang is amenable to the proposed investigation into the release of water from Magat Dam during last week's onslaught of typhoon Ulysses in the hope it would result in better coordination and information dissemination.

But ahead of the probe, Presidential spokesman Harry Roque has expressed doubts any attempt to sue the dam operators over the severe flooding in Cagayan-Isabela area would prosper.

According to Roque, illegal logging and mining operations and other factors have also contributed to floods in the region.

"So tama naman pong mag-imbestiga para siguro po lalong mas mapabuti iyong coordination  sa pagbubukas ng Magat Dam (It is right to conduct the investigation so there will be better coordination in the opening of Magat Dam)," Roque said during a televised press briefing in Cagayan.

"Pero gaya ng aking sinabi kahapon po ‘no bilang abogado, let’s give it (the)  benefit of (the) doubt right now at dahil nga po dito sa scientific study na ito, iyong liability ng Magat ay parang mahirap na mapruwebahan talaga. Although we would want better coordination and better working relationship lalung-lalo na po sa dissemination (But like I said yesterday as a lawyer, let's give it (the) benefit of the doubt right now. Because of the scientific study, the liability of Magat will be difficult to prove although we want better coordination and better working relationship especially in dissemination)," he said.

Roque explained that with or without Magat Dam, flooding will persist due to the narrow portion of Cagayan River that slows down the flow of water. He also said the President has already directed authorities to clamp down on illegal mining and logging in the area, which have also been blamed for the floods.

Some groups have recently called for an investigation into the alleged negligence of Magat Dam authorities over alleged protocol lapses in the water discharge. 

The alleged ill-timed water release from the reservoir, operated by the National Irrigation Authority, has been partly blamed for aggravating the floods in Cagayan and Isabela.

The NIA-Magat River Irrigation System has defended the water release from the dam, saying protocols on dam discharge and flood warnings were issued days before the landfall of Ulysses.

After some local government units have complained about the water dam release that contributed to the floods, Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año has proposed designating the National Disaster Risk Reduction Council to be the sole authority to approve the opening of spillway gates ahead of the onset of typhoons.

President Duterte has already justified the release of water from the dams during the recent typhoon, saying it was necessary to prevent a catastrophe.