NIA starts review of dam release protocols

The National Irrigation Administration (NIA), together with other concerned agencies, has begun the review of its existing protocols following a proposal to transfer the authority of determining dam water release to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC). The talks began on Wednesday, the NIA said. Part of the review is the assessment of the NDRRMC’s technical capability and manpower to determine the amount of water discharge that may be released in dams during calamities. Eden Victoria Selva, acting NIA department manager, said gadgets that read technical data on the ground help their engineers decide the optimal dam water level and discharge. —Karl R. Ocampo