Release of dam water calculated, coordinated with agencies

• Published date: 02 November 2022
• Publication title: Philippines News agency

The National Irrigation Administration on Wednesday assured the public that the release of water from dams would always be gradual, calculated and coordinated with concerned government agencies.

NIA Administrator Benny Antiporda made the assurance following claims that flash floods that happened at the height of the onslaught of Severe Tropical Storm Paeng were due to the unannounced release of water from dams.

Antiporda maintained that the agency would not signal the release of water from any dam unless it is coordinated with other national government agencies and local government units. At the same time, residents are also notified ahead.

'One thing that we can say, hindi po mangyayari na iyong tinatawag natin noong araw na nangyayari po iyong flashflood dahil po sa Magat Dam. Iyan po ay hindi na mangyayari dahil lahat po ng actions po natin dito sa Magat (the flash flood that happened before because of Magat Dam will never happen again because all our actions here in Magat) is fully coordinated with the NDRRMC [National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council], fully coordinated with PAGASA and, of course, with the LGUs [local government units],' Antiporda said during the Laging Handa briefing.

'And people are notified as early as possible 'no bago po tayo magpakawala ng tubig; hours before ay nagsa-siren po tayo...