Power firms forge pact on flood control

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet - National Power Corporation (NPC) and SN Aboitiz Power (Snap)-Benguet forged an agreement for the maintenance and rudiments of the flood forecasting manual used during emergencies.

The NPC remains to be the sole body to order the release of water from both Binga and Ambuklao dams during emergencies while Snap-Benguet calls the shots during normal operations.

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The release of water during emergency situations relies on thresholds based from rainfall and inflow among other data.

Snap vice president for corporate communications, Mike Hosillos, said the agreement was signed by the NPC, the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management (Psalm) Corporation and will be implemented to host communities Itogon and Bokod towns.

Hosillos said sirens and strategic stations are also to be utilized for the assurance of safety of all communities involved in both the dams operations.

A patrol vehicle will run the stretch of the Ambulao-Binga and Dalupirip to asses on the ground situation during emergencies.

Hosillos said water levels for Binga dam should reach 575 meters above sea level elevations and an inflow of 200 cubic meters per second (cms) for Ambuklao dam for the NPC to release water during emergencies.

An intensive information campaign will be given to both host communities in preparation for the implementation of the new system.

Magat dam, which is also operated by Snap, is using the improved Flood Forecasting Warning Systems.

The system is aimed at reducing loss of lives and damages to properties due to floods in downstream communities. (Maria Elena Catajan)