New protocol on San Roque Dam water release out

10/23/2009

Finally, the National Power Corp. (Napocor) has changed the protocol on the release of water of the San Roque Dam in San Manuel town, Pangasinan province.

The amended interim protocol was made just a week after 34 towns and cities of Pangasinan were inundated, most of which by water released from the San Roque Dam at the height of Typhoon “Pepeng.”

Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council (PDCC) chief Paterno Orduna said a copy of the protocol was forwarded to his office on Wednesday by the Napocor for dissemination to all local government units in Pangasinan and their constituents.

Under the water flood operation rule (water releases) of the amended protocol, the water level of the dam is sought to be lowered by two meters, from 280 meters above sea level (MASL) to 278 meters MASL, in order to increase the capability of flood control mitigation/function of the dam;

Once the water level reaches 278 meters MASL, a “pre-spilling” of water is to be commenced at a rate of 500 cubic meters per second (cms). Dam authorities should afterward continuously monitor the water inflow, level of rainfall and path of the present typhoon.

At the same time, the Municipal Disaster and Coordinating Council (MDCC) is expected to monitor the level of river swells during pre-spilling and to provide feedback to the Napocor.

If the water level in the dam continues to rise despite the release at 500 cms of water, the dam authorities should apply a proportionate increase in the rate of water spill, taking into consideration the rate of inflow going to the dam and the level of the Agno River downstream, the new protocol stated.

The interim protocol also provides that upon confirmation and/or validation by the concerned agency that a spilling or pre-spilling operation is to be undertaken by the Napocor, various agencies should also move to inform the public about such action.

Under the new protocol, the Napocor is required to issue a warning to the public six hours prior to the decision to release water from the dam which should be sent to the PDCC and local government units. The warning should be sent through all available means of communication.

Meanwhile, the state weather bureau, Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration or Pag-Asa has also been required to issue a flood bulletin, six hours prior to the release of water from the dam, to the National Disaster Coordinating Committee, the Office of Civil Defense, the PDCC and the national media.

Updates on the status of the dams should also be sent to the agencies concerned every two hours before the actual event takes place, while the PDCC and the MDCC should have identified evacuation centers so people will know where to go in case evacuation is necessary, the protocol said.

It moreover stated that the local police should provide assistance to “national power mobile warning patrol units” in disseminating the warning of the release of water from the dam to the public, through their respective barangay (village) heads.

The Napocor and Pag-Asa should also give the clearance that the spilling or pre-spilling of water has been terminated.

Immediately after, the respective MDCCs should declare when it is safe for affected residents to return to their homes.

Orduna said he had already relayed the protocol to all mayors in Pangasinan, for their guidance and to help prevent unfortunate incidents such as those which happened when Typhoon Pepeng struck.

He said the amended interim protocol is a welcome development as it would serve as a clear-cut guide for water releases not only in the San Roque Dam, but for other dams as well.

Although an official protocol still has to be released next month as the new rules still need to be further deliberated on by the Napocor and other concerned government agencies, the amended rules is to be implemented immediately in anticipation of oncoming Typhoon “Ramil” (international codename “Lupit”).

With PNA

Back to top

For comments about this website:Webmaster@tribune.net.ph
The Daily Tribune © 2006