Robredo backs probe on simultaneous dam water releases amid Ulysses

Vice President Leni Robredo on Monday expressed support to any investigation on dam authorities regarding the simultaneous opening of gates amid Typhoon Ulysses, which is blamed for the massive flooding that hit many areas in Luzon.

"An investigation is very necessary to prevent it from happening again," said Robredo in an interview on ANC.

Robredo, who went to Cagayan and Isabela provinces over the weekend, said local officials she talked to claimed they were not informed by dam officials of the areas that would be affected by the opening of the gates.

At least four dams in Luzon -- Binga, Ambuklao, Magat and Angat --  opened their gates to release water amid heavy rains brought by Typhoon Ulysses last November 12. Magat Dam in Isabela even had as many as seven gates opened.

“Kailangan merong estimate. Halimbawa, kung pitong gates ng dam ang nakabukas, ano iyong mga lugar na maapektuhan?” Robredo said.

Robredo pointed out that areas in Cagayan that do not normally experience floods were the ones severely affected by the flooding in the aftermath of Ulysses.

Having said that, Robredo agreed that the lack, if not failure of information dissemination on the impact of the dams' water releases is a criminal oversight as earlier mentioned by Infrawatch convenor Terry Ridon.

"Definitely, it was an oversight, but as to who committed what, I don't know yet," she said.

"That is why we need an investigation kasi dapat na-anticipate itong epekto ng baha dahil nagdaan na iyong bagyong Quinta at Rolly. Saturated na ang lupa," Robredo added.

Typhoon Ulysses left at least 67 dead, 21 injured and 13 missing so far. It also displaced 428,657 families or over 1.7 million individuals.

State weather bureau PAGASA earlier said dams should not be blamed for the flooding -- a statement echoed by President Rodrigo Duterte, who said such release of water was necessary to prevent a "catastrophe."  --KBK, GMA News