NIA: More high dams needed vs. flooding

MANILA – The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) on Thursday underscored the need for more high dams to alleviate the impacts of severe flooding, following the effects of the typhoon-enhanced southwest monsoon.

During the Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon briefing, NIA Administrator Eduardo Guillen clarified that the massive flooding in some areas in Metro Manila and Bulacan was not caused by the overflow of water in dams.

"Hindi ho kailanman magiging masama ang epekto kung mayroon tayong high dams, kasi mari-regulate po, mako-kontrol natin iyong flow ng tubig (The high dams will never cause a negative effect because we can regulate the water flow)," he said.

Guillen said high dams are beneficial not only in securing water supply for irrigation but also in flood management, as regulators can release water in preparation for typhoons.

"Iyan po ang kagandahan sa sinasabi ng ating Pangulong Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos Jr., na iyong water management, para kapag tag-ulan, you know, maka-mitigate din ng baha kapag nag-iipon po tayo ng tubig (That's the advantage of what President Marcos was saying on water management so that during the rainy season, flooding can be mitigated if we are impounding water)," he said.

In particular, Guillen cited how the Wawa Dam in Rodriguez, Rizal helped alleviate the impacts of severe flooding in Metro Manila.

"Kung i-drone nila iyon, halos mapuno na iyon (If they will use a drone in it, they can see that it it is nearly full). So, imagine, kung iyong laman ng Wawa Dam na iyan ay bumuhos dito sa Metro Manila, eh di lalo na tayong nalubog po sa baha (if the water inside the Wawa is in Metro Manila, we will be even more submerged)," he said.

On July 10, President Marcos led the impounding process ceremony at the Upper Wawa Dam in Montalban, Rizal, which is now considered the biggest water dam to be built in over 50 years, next to the Angat Dam in Bulacan.

Marcos said the Upper Wawa Dam will foster climate resilience among Filipinos by protecting communities downstream from flooding and by mitigating the detrimental effects of drought.

Guillen, meanwhile, clarified that only the Ipo dam, which is on the upper side of the Bustos diversion dam, has released water during the peak of heavy rains.

Although the enhanced southwest monsoon and Super Typhoon Carina have increased water levels in reservoir-type dams like the Angat Dam, Magat Dam, San Roque Dam, and Pantabangan Dam, Guillen assured that these are not nearing their spilling levels.

"Malayo pa pong mapuno iyong mga iyan. So wala po tayong worry kapag may mga tag-ulan pa, iyong mga susunod pang darating, hindi pa po sila napupuno (They are far from spilling. So, there's no need to worry if there are still rains and the rains to come, they will still not be full)," he said.

As of Thursday, the water level in Angat Dam rose to 182.80 meters from 178.41 meters, still lower than its 210-meter normal high water level, according to the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

San Roque Dam rose to 230.29 meters from 227.50 meters, Pantabangan Dam is now at 181.23 meters from 180.57 meters, and Magat Dam increased to 176.33 meters from 174.90 meters, still below their normal high water levels of 280 meters, 216 meters, and 190 meters, respectively. (PNA)