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NIA to review protocols on Magat Dam water release after Cagayan, Isabela floods


The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) will review its protocols regarding the release of water in Magat Dam and improve its watershed following the flooding incident in Cagayan and Isabela.

NIA Dam & Reservoir Division Manager Engineer Eduardo Ramos on Tuesday admitted that Magat Dam contributed to the flooding in the provinces along with other tributaries of the Cagayan River in the wake of Typhoon Ulysses.

“Yesterday, nag-meeting na kami dito sa Cauayan (Isabela) na we have to revisit 'yung protocol namin,” Ramos said in an interview on ANC.

Asked if they can release water five days ahead of a typhoon, Ramos said they cannot.

“Hindi po. ‘Yung nasa protocol po two to three days,” he said. “Dapat ito, ma-review natin 'to para i-jive na sa present condition ngayon.”

The NIA, which is being blamed for the flooding, said residents living near Cagayan River and concerned government officials, as well as agencies, were informed about the discharge of water on November 9, days before Typhoon Ulysses made landfall.

According to Ramos, Magat Dam opened seven gates on November 12, when Typhoon Ulysses passed through Luzon with heavy rainfall.

Citing the protocols from the Angat Dam, which was crafted by the National Power Corporation (NPC) and state weather bureau PAGASA, Ramos said the water release should be done gradually.

“Isang metro lang sa 30 minutes. Isang metro, isang gate. Then after 30 minutes, isang gate ulit, isang metro. Ganun po kasi ang sequence sa pagbukas. Hindi po sabay-sabay na buksan po,” he said.

During the interview on ANC, Cagayan Governor Manuel Mamba pointed out that Magat Dam management could have released water earlier if they have a good watershed system.

“Kapag sinabayan ho natin ‘yung paglaki ng Cagayan River, enormous po yan. Hindi niyo puwedeng sabihin na wala kayong kasalanan,” he said.

“It should be incumbent upon you to see to it that your watershed that supplies your dam is well-kept kasi kung hindi niyo nga makontrol ‘yung pagdating ng tubig, hindi niyo makontrol ‘yung pag-release baka pumutok nga ‘yung dam. Kaya ‘yun lang po ang gusto naming maimbestigahan,” he added.

Ramos said the NIA is already looking into installing a rim in the watershed.

Due to the flooding over the weekend, many people were stranded on rooftops for three days without food and water as they waited to be rescued.

On Saturday, Cagayan was placed under a state of calamity due to the widespread flooding. --KBK, GMA News

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