PROFITS FROM ELECTRICITY BUSINESS PRIORITIZED

Dam operators wavered on water release — solon

10/18/2009

Operators of water dams in Northern Luzon were suspected of having delayed the release of water during the height of typhoon “Pepeng” in consideration of generating the maximum volume of electricity for hydroelectric plants.

Hydroelectric plants, from which the country sources up to 21 percent of electricity requirements, depend on the flow of water from dams to generate power.

Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero said dam operators prioritized profits over the safety of residents when they released 128 billion liters of water at the height of Pepeng.

“In the name of making money, they sacrificed the lives of everyone along the floodways so that they could generate enough electricity,” he said.

Escudero added on radio yesterday what transpired when Pepeng hit the country will prove that (dam operators) maximized the capacity of the dam before they began releasing water.

He added that San Roque has a maximum level of only 290 meters above sea level (masl).

Escudero said dam operators started releasing the water at 288 masl.

“When the water level was increasing, there should have been a protocol, he said, adding that at 260 masl, dam operators could have some floodgates opened.

He said that the rate of water released was at 5.1 million liters per second, which translates to 300 million liters per second or 16 billion liters per hour.

“Imagine how quickly the waters rose. If they started at 240, 250, or 260 masl, then the flood problems wouldn’t cause too much devastation and tragedy. I asked the National Power Corp. (Napocor) and the San Roque dam operators (during a Senate hearing) if they knew how much the Agno River can absorb. They only pointed out that the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) was responsible for that data,” he added.

He said that even Napocor chairman Froilan Tampinco admitted that they have to modify the protocol because of outdate guidelines.

Tampinco said during Friday’s hearing at the Senate, that they were not prepared for the rains caused by climate change.

“This is unacceptable. They did not show concern for the people and they chose to protect the dam instead. It would have been better if they had coordination with local government units,” he said. He said that with a potential typhoon closing in the country, dam operators must get their acts together and implement a system where the safety of both the infrastructure and the residents will be considered.

Escudero said that Friday’s Senate hearing only highlights the lack of proper procedure in the release of dam water. The senator said he is extremely disappointed with the whole ‘blame-game’ that is going on among dam operators, local government officials, and PAGASA weather forecasters.

Escudero said it was clear that they do not have the proper guidelines to follow during emergency situations.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said seven dams in Luzon started releasing water yesterday morning in anticipation of the rains that may be generated by incoming typhoon “Ramil.”

Pagasa identified the dams as Angat and Ipo in Bulacan, San Roque in San Manuel, Pangasinan; Pantabangan in Nueva Ecija; and Magat in Isabela; Ambuklao and Binga, both in Benguet.

The state weather agency said Angat Dam opened three of its gates, releasing 544 cubic meters (m3s) of water per second that may affect the towns of Norzagaray, Angat, San Rafael, Bustos, Baliuag, Pulilan, Plaridel and Hagonoy, all in Bulacan.

Ipo Dam, also in Norzagaray, Bulacan, released 410.3 cubic meters of water per second from its four gates.

Ambuklao Dam in Bokod, Benguet, opened three gates, releasing 164 cubic meters (m3s) per second, while nearby Binga Dam released 300 per second from two gates.

The San Roque Dam in San Manuel, Pangasinan released 642 m3s of waters from two gates. The released water is expected to affect the towns of San Manuel, San Nicolas, Tayug, Sta. Maria, Asingan, Villasis, Alcala, Bautista, Rosales and Bayambang.

Pantabangan Dam opened one gate, releasing 220 m3s and may affect the towns of Rizal, Bongabon, General Natividad, Palayan City, Cabanatuan City and Sta. Rosa, all in Nueva Ecija.

Magat Dam also opened one gate, releasing 473 m3s per second. The towns that maybe affected are Ramon, San Mateo, Aurora, Cabatuan, Luna, Reina Mercedes, Burgos, Naguilian and Gamu in Isabela.

Pagasa said the Angat, Ipo, Ambuklao, Binga, San Roque, Pantabangan, and Magat dams are still considered under “spilling condition.”

The Angat Dam has a reservoir water level of 211.79 meters (normal level is 212 meters). Its water level decreased for the past four hours as it discharged about 400 centimeters (cm) of water.

The Ipo Dam has a 100.88 meters reservoir water level (normal level is 100.87 m). Its water level is still increasing and as such, is discharging 400 cm of water.

On the other hand, the Ambuklao Dam has a reservoir water level of 743.82 meters (normal level is 752 m). It has discharged 122 cm of water for the past four hours.

The Binga Dam has a 571.10 cm reservoir water level (normal level is 575 cm). Its level is decreasing as it discharged about 299 cm of water.

The San Roque Dam, which has flooded a lot of towns in Pangasinan when it released water during the onslaught of Pepeng, is still on the spilling level, according to the latest situationer report from Pagasa.

Despite the release of water, San Roque Dam’s reservoir water level is still over spilling level at 283.35 meters (normal level is 280 m).

Two of its gates had been opened at two meters and discharging 772 cm affecting the towns of San Manuel, San Nicolas, Tayug, Sta. Maria, Asingan, Villasis, Alcala, Bautista, Rosales and Bayambang, all in Pangasinan.

Pagasa said the water level in Pantabangan Dam, which also flooded Central Luzon provinces, is now decreasing for the past hours.

Its reservoir water level is recorded at 219.81 meters (normal level is 221 m). Its one gate is opened and is discharging 220 cm of water.

Meanwhile, Magat Dam’s reservoir water level is at 191.09 meters (normal level is 193 m). Its two gates had been opened and have discharged 887 cm of water affecting areas of Ramon, San Mateo, Cabatuan, Luna, Reina Mercedes, Burgos, Naguillan and Gamu towns in Isabela province.

Pagasa said dams now considered under normal level are the La Mesa and Caliraya Dams.

The weather bureau said it will continue to provide update on the monitored reservoirs until such time that all spillway operations are terminated.

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