CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- The Angat Dam in Bulacan started releasing 70 cubic meters per second (cms) of water due to the advisory of Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) regarding the combination of monsoon and easterly rains this weekend.

As of 3:00 p.m. Monday, the Angat Dam's water elevation level was at 215.11 meters above sea level (masl), which is above the normal high water elevation of 212 masl.

The dam opened 0.5 meters in Gate 2 but the National Power Corporation (NPC), the operator of the dam, was quick to assure that this would not cause flooding in nearby areas, contrary to what happened last month wherein parts of Pampanga and Bulacan became flooded.

The recent releasing of water from dams in Central Luzon, including Angat Dam, has caused massive flooding in some parts of Pampanga and Bulacan.

Angat Dam supplies most of Metro Manila’s water needs and the irrigation source of farmlands in Bulacan and Pampanga provinces.

Some 27,000 hectares of farmlands in Bulacan and Pampanga are serviced by the irrigation coming from Angat Dam while 14 million Metro Manila residents rely on the dam's water supply for domestic consumption.