QUEZON CITY (PIA) — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday, Oct. 23, ordered the gradual release of water from major Luzon dams in a way that would not put the lives of people in downstream communities in danger.
He instructed concerned agencies to closely monitor the water levels of dams that threaten to overflow with feared torrential rains from storm Kristine.
President Marcos made the directive on Wednesday’s situational briefing with government agencies and offices in Camp Aguinaldo.
“Sana hindi na natin hintayin na malapit nang mapuno ang mga dam, halimbawa ang Pantabangan Dam. Kahit di pa high-level water pababain na natin na hindi apektado ‘yung downstream communities,” Marcos said.
(We should not wait for water levels in dams to rise to high levels; for instance, at Pantabangan Dam, let’s decrease the water level even if they’re not that high so that downstream communities won’t be affected.)
State weather bureau Pagasa during the 10 a.m. Wednesday’s situational briefing led by President Marcos said that Storm Signal No. 2 has been raised in 26 areas in Luzon as Kristine maintained its strength while approaching the Isabela and northern Aurora areas.
PAGASA said that the cyclone may re-intensify as it continues to move closer to the Luzon landmass before making landfall over Northern Luzon tonight or early tomorrow morning on Thursday, 24 October 2024.
Thus, President Marcos directed all concerned agencies to collaborate closely with local government units (LGUs) to ensure prompt assistance for Filipinos in urgent need. (PIA DMD)
