SINAG calls for resignation of NIA administrator due to Cagayan, Isabela floods

The Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG) on Monday called for the resignation of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) administrator Ricardo Visaya, following the floods that hit the provinces of Cagayan and Isabela.

In a statement, SINAG accused NIA of failing twice in releasing the water from the Magat Dam in an "apt and judicious manner," which the group blamed for the deaths and the destruction of livelihoods of farmers, among others.

"History repeating itself in a month's time is not only farcical, but borders on criminal intent," said SINAG chairman Rosendo So.

"Kakatanim pa lang ng magsasaka ng palay dahil nasalanta sila ng bagyong Ulysses ngayon ay nasira na naman ang kanilang pananim dahil sa panibagong baha. Halos walang kinita ang mga magsasaka nung huling anihan dahil mababa ang presyo ng palay. Ngayon ay dapa na naman sila kahit di pa umaani, mayroon dapat managot," he added.

GMA News Online has reached out to Visaya for comment on the matter, but no response has been received as of posting.

To recall, a series of typhoons hit the Philippines over the past months, with heavy rains and the release of water from the Magat Dam and other reservoirs bringing about massive flooding in Cagayan and Isabela.

Residents of the area have been reported to be looking at the possibility of suing the operator of Magat Dam for the yearly floods hitting the northern Luzon province, but the NIA has maintained that the Magat Dam had to be opened to prevent the dam from breaking and causing a bigger catastrophe.

"Sa mismong datos ng NIA, halos 30,000 magsasaka ang naapektuhan ng bagyong Ulysses at halos isang bilyon ang halaga ng nasirang pananim," said So, who noted that NIA continues to to implement the same protocol even after commiting a review.

SINAG said NIA releases water from the Magat Dam at the 193-meter level or the Normal High Water Level (NHWL), but this should have been adjusted to 183 meters since the previous level caused massive flooding.

"'Yung San Roque Dam, the NWHL was already adjusted from 290 meters from 280 meters. Bakit hindi nagawa sa Magat Dam? It is not enough na sasabihan ng NIA na nag-issue sila ng warning prior sa release ng tubig. Baha pa rin ang resulta nun," said So.

"Hindi na nga nakakatulong sa irigasyon, perwisyo pa sa baha," he added.—AOL, GMA News