NIA Central Office – With the proposal of transferring the authority of dam water release to the National Disaster Risk and Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC), the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) has started to convene with NDRRMC, Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), Department of Local Government (DILG), Office of Civil Defense (OCD), and National Water Resources Board (NWRB) to review existing protocol on water discharges from dams last Wednesday, November 18, 2020.
Present in the initial talk are NIA-Magat River Integrated Irrigation System (NIA-MARIIS) officials, headed by Manager Wilfredo C. Gloria to discuss further the followed Protocol on Dam Discharge and Flood Warning Operation during Typhoon Ulysses (Vamco) and the current status of Magat Dam. NIA-MARIIS emphasized the communications done to different government offices, local media, and residents of Provinces of Isabela and Cagayan that may be affected of its water releases. It was also highlighted that while Magat Dam is not a flood control system, it served as one during the onslaught of Typhoon Ulysses as it helped mitigate and hold water to prevent a more widespread flooding in Region II.
Furthermore, NDRRMC will review its technical capability and manpower with regards to the proposal of transfer of authority of gate opening and water releases to their office.