Lorenzana backs proposal for NDRRMC to control dam gates during storms

MANILA, Philippines — Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Tuesday expressed support for the proposal to put the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) in control of whether to open dam gates during typhoons after massive flooding in Cagayan and Isabela provinces had been blamed on the release of water from the Magat Dam reservoir during Typhoon Ulysses.

Lorenzana told reporters that he found the proposal to be a good idea so there would not be any blame game. “We will take the responsibility if we make a mistake,” he said in Filipino.

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año made the recommendation.

Lorenzana, who also chairs the NDRRMC, said the disaster preparedness agency should be in control of the release of water from reservoirs only during typhoons. In normal circumstances, control would be in the hands of the National Irrigation Administration.

“We agree with that because for us, if the storm is just approaching, we can already allow the release of water gradually,” he said in Filipino.

He said dams, like Magat, are also sources of hydroelectricity. “Water runs their generators,” he said in Filipino. “If the water level is low, the generator above will not run and power generation and revenue would be affected,” he said.

But Lorenzana added that he would choose “lost revenue” over “lost lives.” “I think compared to lost revenue and lost lives, I’d go with lives,” he said.

TSB