The National Power Corporation (NAPOCOR) on Thursday assured low-lying communities of measured release of dam water to prevent massive flooding.
In a press briefing in Malacañang, NAPOCOR’s Flood Operation Manager Maria Teresa Sierra said under the previous protocol, the agency would typically release excess water when the dams are already full.
Sierra noted the directives of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday tasking the dam operators to release water ahead of the expected heavy rainfall of Tropical Storm Kristine to mitigate flooding of low-lying communities.
According to Sierra, each dam has its own purpose, particularly Angat Dam, which is a multipurpose dam. She said it must maintain a certain water elevation to provide sufficient water supply for Metro Manila and meet the irrigation requirements of Bulacan and Pampanga.
“Dito po papasok si NAPOCOR na flood control, so with the recent amendments of our protocols, we are working on it right now. So we… parang nagga-guarantee na ‘yung assurance sa mga downstream communities na ‘yung mga past experiences po natin with the dams marami po tayong mga lessons learned about it eh,” Sierra told reporters.
However, Sierra noted that NAPOCOR’s primary challenge is climate change, which has made weather patterns and dynamics unpredictable.
Sierra mentioned as an example PAGASA’s weather updates that provide varying tracks of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine with rapidly changing rain bands.
“So ‘yung pong ating protocols we need also to amend and adjust to accommodate po ‘yung changes po nito. So right now ‘yung assurance natin ay talagang as much as possible we would like to assure the communities na minimize na po ‘yung [measured water release] … unless we would be experiencing ‘yung sabihin natin na malakas na talaga na pag-ulan,” Sierra said.
“Pero right now, si NAPOCOR assured na po ‘yung ating mga communities,” she added. (PCO)
