CABANATUAN CITY – The National Irrigation Administration-Upper Pampanga River Integrated Irrigation Systems (NIA-UPRIIS) headed by Engr. Rosalinda B. Bote yesterday clarified that the Pantabangan Dam in Nueva Ecija did not release irrigation water that triggered massive floodings in certain areas in the province in the aftermath of several typhoons, including Typhoon Quinta, that hit Luzon over the past few days.
“Ang mga nagdaang bagyo na tumahak sa Luzon ay nagdulot lamang ng humigit kumulang apat na metrong pagtaas ng tubig sa Pantabangan dam,” said Engr. Bote, in her statement posted over social media.
As of yesterday, the dam’s water elevation was listed at 194.14 meters, still several meters notches away from the automatic spilling level of 221 meters.
Bote said the dam still need several typhoons and rains to fill up its water reservoir capacity and reach the 214-meter elevation requirement where it can irrigate the maximum 140,000 hectares of programmed areas for irrigation for this dry season cropping of 2021.
“Ang mga pagbaha sa lalawigan ay dulot ng mga tubig-ulan na sanhi ng mga bagyo at ang bulto ng tubig ay nagmumula sa Gabaldon at Digmala Rivers. Kaya wala pong katotohanan na ang sanhi ng pagbaha sa Nueva Ecija ay dahil sa pagpapakawala ng tubig mula sa Pantabangan Dam,” said Bote.
The UPRIIS chief also downplayed fears among Novo Ecijanos saying that if ever there would be any plan to release water from the mammoth dam it would be done approximately six hours ahead of schedule after prior coordination with all the authorities concerned.
“Huwag po kayong mabahala, ang aming tanggapan ay magpapalabas ng kaukulang impormasyon o opisyal na pabatid anim na oras bago ang pagpapakawala ng tubig mula sa Pantabangan Dam,” said Bote.
