Bulacan Governor Daniel R. Fernando called on the operators and the agencies involved in the releasing of water from the Angat, Ipo, and Bustos Dams to thoroughly study their protocols on water release and be considerate of the people that are directly affected by their decision.
In a meeting with dam stakeholders held in Brgy. Dakila, City of Malolos, on Thursday, Jan. 12, Fernando said too many lives were affected and properties destroyed every time the dams release water that goes directly into the catch basin that is Bulacan.
“Marami ang nasirang bahay, nawala ang ari-arian, nawala ang mga gamit. Although nagbibigay naman kayo ng alarma, (A lot of houses were destroyed, properties and belongings went missing. Although you send out an alarm) but in my opinion and in my observation, it was not sufficient, it was not enough," the governor said.
A total of 3,500 Bulakenyo families were evacuated and P17 million damage to agriculture was reported due to the heavy rains brought by the Northeast Monsoon accompanied by dam releases that caused flooding in some Bulacan municipalities including Norzagaray, San Rafael, Calumpit, Paombong, Angat, Bustos, Pulilan, Hagonoy, Plaridel, and the City of Baliwag.
The governor pointed out that on Jan. 4, the Angat Dam reached its spilling level which is 212 meters but no release was made even though based on the forecasts of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), rains will still be heavy on that day.
“Bakit hindi pa natin inunti-unting inilabas noong 212 meters pa lang? Bakit hinintay pa natin na umabot ng 215 meters noong January 5 bago tayo nagpakawala? Naiintindihan ko naman na kailangang magpakawala ng tubig dahil mas maraming maaapektuhan kapag hindi nag-release. Pero pwede naman pala na pumitik-pitik na ng release nung 212 meters pa lang," (Why did we not gradually release while it is still 212 meters? Why did we wait for it to reach 215 meters on January 5, before releasing? I understand we need to release water because more people will be affected if the excess water will not be released, but it could have been released when it was still on the 212 meters level)," he added.
National Power Corporation (NPC) Department Manager Conrado G. Sison, Jr. explained that since it is a non-flood season, they have to store water so that when the dry season comes, there will be enough water to use.
“Tama po ang sinabi ni governor (The governor is right). Based on our protocol, kapag 212 na ang level kami po ay supposed to be ay mag-o-open na ng gates kasi nasa non-flood season po tayo ( if it's already 212 meters, we’re supposed open the gates since we're still in a non-flood season). Instead of opening the gates, to contain, we requested Angat Hydro to maximize their operation para ‘yung tubig hindi sa spillway lalabas (so that water will not get into the spillway)," he said.
Sison also vowed to continuously coordinate with other agencies including the National Water Resources Board, PAGASA, National Irrigation Administration, and Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System to address the issue.
The Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officers of the affected municipalities and Bustos Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer (LDRRMO) Paul Santos raised the concerns and suggestions, including a research or feasibility study for the impounding of excess water from the dams, revisiting the existing protocol on the release of water, looking for other sources of water for Metro Manila, and revisiting the relocation program of the Provincial Government to protect communities living on the riverside.