NOV.

5, 2011 DATE

NR # 2578
REF. NO.

Bulacan solon calls for inquiry into water resource mismanagement of dams
A lawmaker is calling for a congressional inquiry into the alleged water resource mismanagement of dams in and around Bulacan which caused or aggravated recent regional flooding brought by typhoons Pedring and Quiel in the province. According to Rep. Ma. Victoria Sy-Alvarado (1st District, Bulacan), the inquiry would determine appropriate actions that are vital in the formulation of a unified interagency protocol for national dam water management. The formulation of a unified inter-agency protocol for national dam water management would match the current needs in light of environmental conditions, climate change and responsive governance for the safety and security of our people, said SyAlvarado. Sy-Alvarado said dam management follows protocols, citing the National Water Resource Board is the lead agency in allocating water for irrigation to the National Irrigation Administration, for domestic supply to the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System, and hydroelectric power generation to the National Power Corporation. These present protocols are outdated, some allegedly are 1987 and 1998 versions, while even 2010 versions allegedly lack or have unincorporated provisions for proper coordination and decision-making processes, especially for dams in interconnected waterways, she said. Sy-Alvarado cited that Book 1, Title 1, Chapter 1, Section 2 (c) of the Local Government Code provides It is likewise the policy of the State to require all national agencies and offices to conduct periodic consultations with appropriate local government units, nongovernmental and peoples organizations, and other concerned sectors of the community before any project or program is implemented in their respective jurisdictions. In violation of such clear provision, she said local governments whose jurisdictions are downstream from the dams were allegedly not consulted nor were made part of important and critical decision processes which led to the release of water from the dams last month while typhoon Pedring was at its height and low-lying areas in Bulacan were already under water. Sy-Alvarado, a Vice Chairperson of the House Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship Development, sought the inquiry through House Resolution 1804, citing that since September 26, 2011, typhoons Pedring and Quiel entered the Philippine area of

NOV. 5, 2011 DATE

NR # 2578
REF. NO.

responsibility towards the general direction of Central Luzon. Despite foreknowledge of an incoming typhoon, no action was taken by dam management authorities in preparation of expected rainfall volume, according to her. Flooding with extraordinarily fast rising levels was experienced by the municipalities of Calumpit, Hagonoy and Pulian as early as Sept. 26. Dam water management only decided to release water while the typhoon was at its height and lowlying localities were already under water, she said. Earlier, Rep. Agapito Guanlao (Party-list Butil) also called for an immediate congressional review and investigation on the observance and compliance of dam and other water resources distribution operators to protocols governing preemptive spilling, saying the pre-emptive release of water from six dams in Luzon last month continued even as typhoon Pedring fell on land, aggravating the floods that damaged lives, crops, farmlands and infrastructure. The damage by recent estimates amounts to at least P6.6 billion. The predisposition to dam overflow in an increasing frequency of typhoons and the aggravating circumstance of pre-emptive release of water and similar events has made an immediate review of protocols urgent, said Guanlao, Chairman of the House Committee on Food Security. Six dams namely San Roque, Angat, Ipo, Ambuklao, Binga and Magat released water in anticipation of the onslaught of typhoon Pedring. (30) rbb