President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. told irrigation and water officials to coordinate closely when spilling water from dams to avoid a repeat of the massive flooding in Cagayan Valley in the past.
During a situation briefing on the impact of typhoon Karding on Monday, Sept. 26, Marcos instructed concerned agencies, including the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) to ensure that there will be no repeat of the 2020 flooding incident in Luzon provinces.
"I saw some reports about some of the dams na were releasing water. I cannot forget the experience that we had in Cagayan Valley a few months ago, almost a year ago, na nagbitaw ang Magat and then nagkabaha-baha (that Magat dam released water, causing floods)," Marcos said.
According to PAGASA Administrator Vic Malano, Magat dam conducted a preemptive release before typhoon Karding hit the country.
Malano said it was done "because the water level of the dam during that time was nearing the normal water high of its opening."
He added the dam is "still releasing water until now" through one gate with one-meter high opening. Ipo Dam is also doing the same thing, he said.
Magat Dam is operated by National Irrigation Administration (NIA) while Ipo Dam is under Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS).
The President said he wants a close coordination among the organizations involved and the affected communities to be warned.
"Bantayan n'yo nang mabuti (Monitor it closely). We don't want that incident to happen na sabay sabay na nagbitaw, hindi nag-warning sa mga affected areas na magbibitaw ng tubig, nagkaproblema (where they released at the same time, failed to warn affected areas before releasing, which caused a problem)," Marcos said.
"You be very very careful about that. Kontrolado naman natin, e. Kontrolin natin (It's under our control. So, let's control it). The coordination required is going to be important...Hindi yung hindi kayo nag-uusap kailangan nagko-coordinate nang mabuti (You should talk to each other, you shoulf coordinate closely)," Marcos added.
He also told Malano that they have to make sure not to cause flooding even if they release water from dams.
As of Monday noon, the Chief Executive said they that during their aerial inspection, they found Nueva Ecija and Aurora are without power. "We are sending gensets now," he said.