MANILA, Philippines?Administrators of the San Roque Dam in Pangasinan must explain to the public their decision to spill massive amounts of water on Thursday night, causing unprecedented flooding throughout the province and placing residents at risk.

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro said this on Saturday when told of some Pangasinan mayors' complaints that dam officials failed to provide timely advise that the reservoir was to open its floodgates.

Local officials related that floodwaters submerged homes in just a few hours after the dam started releasing water onto Agno River on Thursday afternoon.

Teodoro said he was told that the dam initiated pre-emptive releases amid heavy rains brought by Typhoon Pepeng over the past week.

?I don't know if the amounts were enough.... I would like those questions answered too.... I would like those questions to be explained clearly to the public so they'll really know what happened,? Teodoro told the Inquirer.

?I think they're trying to explain already but when the time comes, after we're over with the relief [operations], they should need to explain in the proper forum,? he added.

Asked about the possible liability of dam administrators, Teodoro said: ?I really can't say because it's a technical question. Maybe if they hadn't done it and the dam burst... but I can't say at this time, and I want to know.?

Teodoro cited reports that strong flood currents damaged critical infrastructure, particularly Bued Bridge that provided access to Pangasinan's inner towns.

?I think, like it or not, they should've communicated more directly even through major networks, major radio stations for information purposes. And it's their burden. They cannot just pass notices to us when they know it will affect a lot of people's lives,? said Teodoro.

Overnight flooding in Pangasinan inundated at least 60 percent of the province, isolating towns and trapping residents in their homes, many on the roofs.

The National Disaster Coordinating Council said Saturday that the San Roque Power Corporation had advised it that the dam was ?intact and there is no crack.?

?The dam is strong and firm and there will be no dam break,? the NDCC said in a situation report.

As of Saturday morning, the water level at San Roque dam was still slightly above its normal spilling level of 280 meters. An 8 a.m. update by the NDCC reported that San Roque continued to release water at 1,461 cubic meters per second.