Protocol in place for release of water from San Roque Dam

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan (PNA)--The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) here said a protocol is to be observed by all stakeholders in the release of water from the Roque Multi-purpose Dam Project (SRDMP) in San Manuel town.

Avenix Arenas, PDRRMC spokesperson, said the protocol was signed about three years ago after Typhoon "Pepeng" by Governor Amado Espino Jr. with officials of the San Roque Power Corporation (SRPC), operator of the dam; National Power Corporation (Napocor), National Water Resources Council (NWRC) and the Philippine Atmospheric Geo-physical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).

The protocol fixed the spilling level of water from SRMDP at 280 meters above sea level (masl), which means that when the water reaches this level, the dam must open its spillway gates to release water downstream.

This will ensure any over-topping of the water that could wash-out the rock-filled dam, considered as the highest in Southeast Asia and the second highest in Asia.

Arenas mentioned this protocol to remind people in the downstream areas not to panic because to date, the SRMDP's reservoir water level is just more than 253 masl, still too far from the dam's spilling level.

The Ambuklao Dam in Bokod, Benguet, located in the upper stream of the Agno River, has already opened one of its gates by one meter Thursday due to continuous monsoon rains in Northern Luzon. .

Water released by Ambuklao Dam flows downstream to the Binga Dam in Itogon, Benguet which to date has not opened any of its gate that would have conveyed the water down to the bigger SRMDP.