Bulacan gov calls for closer coordination among dam operators, LGUs

By Vinson F. Concepcion

Tuesday 10th of July 2012

CITY OF MALOLOS, Bulacan, July 10 (PIA) -- The governor of Bulacan has urged dam operators and local government units (LGU) to be united and closely coordinate during the release of water from dams particularly during the rainy season.

It will take teamwork and harmonious working relations between dam operators and LGUs to lessen the effects of severe flooding in low lying areas in Bulacan, said Governor Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado as he called for unity and coordination among the National Irrigation Authority (NIA), Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS), Manila Water and National Power Corporation (NPC), the operators of Bustos, Angat and Ipo dams, respectively.

“It’s like playing basketball, we need to have teamwork, inform each agency properly particularly the people that will be affected by the release of water. Most of the time, people of Bulacan are left blindsided by the immediate release of dam waters. That’s why we need to talk, because if one agency fails it will cause more problems,” said Alvarado.

He told Ipo Dam officials to coordinate with NIA before releasing waters so that officials at Bustos Dam can also discharge waters before those released by Ipo Dam can reach the rubber dam.

The governor also explained that one of the problems that needs to be given attention is that Ipo Dam has become the sub-reservoir of Maynilad. He said that Maynilad should have their own reservoir so that protocols in the release of water could be observed properly, noting that Ipo dam only releases water after its spilling level of 101 meters is breached.

“Ipo Dam couldn’t make pre-emptive releases before flooding because of Maynilad. Maynilad should have its own sub-reservoir. Meanwhile, while there is still no sub-reservoir, there should be proper coordination among agencies concerned. As much as possible, dams must maintain high water carrying capacities especially during rainy season,” he added.

Alvarado also requested the national agencies involved to install closed-circuit television (CCTV) and additional rain gauge to ensure that dam management is safely executed particularly during the onslaught of typhoons. (CLJD/VFC-PIA3/PPAO)