CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- The water level of Angat Dam is still showing no signs of improvement as its level on Monday was at 174.44 meters, 0.3 meter lower than Sunday's 174.74 meters.
With this, the Department of Agriculture (DA) here said the planting for palay would definitely fall in the first week of July or even a bit later for Central Luzon
Water from Angat Dam has been cut for irrigation and that the prevailing dry spell has yet to be dispelled by the rainy season.
Earlier, Angat Dam in Bulacan has breached the 180-meter critical level for irrigation last May.
The dam's normal high level is 212 meters, while its critical level for drinking water is 160 meters.
Farmers in some 27,000 hectares of farmlands in Bulacan and Pampanga are serviced by the irrigation coming from Angat Dam but irrigation services has been cut as it would have to prioritize 14 million residents in Metro Manila who rely on the water supply coming from dam.
Pampanga farmers, however, still expect a bountiful harvest despite the dry spell, with their other sources of water like the Maasim River.
Other dams in Luzon also saw a dip on their water level with Ipo Dam at 100.41 from 100.45 meters, Binga Dam at 571.37 from 571.82 and San Roque Dam 237.57 from 237.83 meters Sunday.
Magat Dam fell to 184.36 from 184.84 meters and Caliraya Dam to 287.07 from 287.43 meters Sunday.
DA Regional Director Andrew Villacorta said that they are now preparing support measures for the start of the wet cropping season as weather bureau is expected to announce the start of the rainy season as soon as enough rainfall is recorded in the country.