Public assured of measured, gradual dam water release

DAM SPILL Operators of San Roque Dam in Pangasinan, shown in this photo taken in 2011, opened four floodgates to release water in excess of its normal capacity level. INQUIRER file photo / WILLIE LOMIBAO

MANILA, Philippines – The National Power Corporation (Napocor) on Thursday assured the public, especially those living in low-lying areas, of a measured and gradual release of dam water to prevent massive flooding as Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (international name: Trami) continues to dampen most of Luzon and parts of Visayas.

Napocor Flood Operation Manager Maria Teresa Sierra explained that under their previous protocol, the release of water will only be carried out when the dam reaches spilling level which in the past has exacerbated flood woes in some areas.

READ: LIVE UPDATES: Tropical Storm Kristine

Napocor manages 12 dams all over the country, including five major dams in Luzon, namely Angat Dam, Caliraya Dam, Ambuklao Dam, Binga Dam, and San Roque Dam.

“So right now ‘yung assurance natin ay talagang (our assurance is really) as much as possible we would like to assure the communities na minimize na po ‘yung [measured water release is already minimized] … unless we would be experiencing ‘yung sabihin natin na malakas na talaga na pag-ulan (a heavy downpour),” Sierra said in a Palace press briefing.

READ: Marcos orders gradual release of water in dams

“Pero (But) right now, si Napocor assured na po ‘yung ating mga communities (Napocor already assured our communities),” she added.

Siera also noted that the change in protocol is in line with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to dam operators Wednesday to release water ahead of the expected heavy rainfall from Kristine to mitigate flooding in downstream communities.