Cordillera dams release water, but no flood threat to Pangasinan

LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN, Philippines — The Pangasinan Irrigation Management Office (Pimo) has allayed concerns that water released from Ambuklao and Binga Dams in Benguet province could cause flooding in Pangasinan.

Engineer John Molano, Pimo division manager, said water from the two Cordillera dams flows into the San Roque Dam in San Manuel town, which has yet to open its gates because its water level remains below the spilling elevation of 280 meters above sea level.

“Residents of towns along the Agno River have nothing to worry about because San Roque Dam has not opened its gates,” Molano told the provincial board on Monday.

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As of 8 a.m. Tuesday, the water elevation of San Roque Dam stood at 274.97 masl, slightly below its 275-masl level the previous day.

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Tommy Valdez, senior vice president for community affairs of San Roque Power Corp. (SRPC), said the company and the National Power Corp. were managing the dam’s water level in anticipation of more rains.

Maximized usage

“We are maximizing the use of water by generating power at maximum, thereby releasing more water through the turbines,” Valdez told the Inquirer.

He said the water being released through the turbines was equivalent to a water elevation of 282 masl as of Tuesday.

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Molano said the dam’s current water level remains sufficient to meet the irrigation requirements of farmers.

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“Even at 265 masl, it is enough to sustain our program area,” Molano said.

Pangasinan Vice Gov. Mark Lambino said the dam’s current water level was good news for farmers, particularly with the expected onset of El Niño conditions in the province from October to November.

Pangasinan Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office head Rhodyn Luchinvar Oro said the office monitors and updates the water levels of the dams daily.

He said residents living along the Agno River would be given sufficient time to prepare and evacuate if necessary before the San Roque Dam gates are opened.

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Once released, water from San Roque Dam flows into the Agno River, which traverses 18 towns for about 112 kilometers from San Manuel to Labrador and the Lingayen Delta. /cb