Probe on ‘untimely, irresponsible’ opening of floodgates in Luzon dams sought

MANILA, Philippines — A lawmaker is calling for an investigation on what she called an “untimely and irresponsible” opening of floodgates of dams and watersheds in Luzon as Typhoon Ulysses ravaged parts of the country.

Under House Resolution No. 1345, Bagong Henerasyon Rep. Bernadette Herrera said that the opening of six dams during Typhoon Ulysses—such as Angat, Ipo, La Mesa, Ambuklao, Binga, San Roque, and Magat—led to “intensified flashfloods” in several areas including Cagayan, Isabela, Pangasinan, and Metro Manila.

“Numerous reports showed that these dams released water not in a gradual manner, but rather a hasty and rushed manner,” Herrera said in the resolution.

“For Magat Dam alone, on November 12, 2020, the dam opened seven gates, discharging 6,244 cubic meters of water per second,” the lawmaker added.

Citing the group Infrawatch PH, Herrera said Magat Dam “did not make sufficient water drawdown” two to three days prior to the arrival of Typhoon Ulysses.

“It is apparent that these dam and catchbasin operators function independently and without coordination with the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC),” Herrera said.

“The management of these dams and catchbasins must be called to account for their actions to the fullest extent of the law. There is a need to conduct an investigation to determine the accountability of dam operators in the casualties that took the lives and livelihood of many Filipinos,” she added.

Several areas in the country reported flooding as a result of Typhoon Ulysses. Among these were the provinces of Cagayan and Isabela where many homes were submerged in water after Magat Dam released water.

Local government officials in the Cagayan Valley provinces have said that it is the worst flooding that they have experienced in four decades.

BY THE NUMBERS: The impact of Typhoon Ulysses in Cagayan Valley

On Monday, Speaker Lord Allan Velasco, Majority Leader Martin Romualdez, and Minority Leader Joseph Stephen Paduano also filed a resolution seeking a probe on the flooding in Cagayan and Isabela.

Probe on Marikina watershed

In another resolution, Herrera also sought a probe on the alleged illegal activities such as logging and quarrying in the Marikina watershed and other protected reserves in the country.

Under House Resolution No. 1346, Herrera said such illegal activities hinder efforts to rehabilitate and reforest the watershed, which the late Environment Secretary Gina Lopez said was at the verge of a “forest death.”

“The rehabilitation of the Marikina watershed is of utmost importance as it serves as the first line of defense against rainwater coming from the uplands of Luzon,” Herrera said in the resolution.

“It also serves as home to various endangered wildlife species like Narra, red and white Lauan, Kamagong, Molave; Fauna birds like black-naped Oriole and jungle fowl; mammals like Philippine Deer, wild pig, Philippine monkey, among many others,” she added.

Herrera also cited the lack of catch basins in the area as another reason for the massive flooding during the height of Typhoon Ulysses.

According to the River Basin Control Office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Philippines has 142 critical watersheds with 21 catchment basins —8 in Luzon, 5 in Visayas and 8 in Mindanao.

“This data only proves the lack of catchment basins in the country, which contributes to the flooding of low-lying areas,” Herrera stressed.

“The lack of sufficient watersheds and catch basins compounded by the increasing and unabated illegal activities in the area of the Marikina watershed all prove that immediate and swift action must be taken to better prepare the country for the repetitive yet strengthening onslaught of typhoons and storms,” she added. — with report from Armando Miguel Dumlao