San Simon, Pampanga residents blame dams for flooding

Residents of San Simon, Pampanga on Saturday blamed dams for the widespread flooding in the area, saying that their operators had failed to preemptively release water before Typhoon Ulysses hit the country.

According to Katrina Son’s report on “24 Oras Weekend,” Infrawatch convenor Terry Ridon said that dams, particularly the Ipo Dam, the Angat Dam, and the Magat Dam, hurriedly released the water during the onslaught of the typhoon.

Ridon said that the dam operators should have planned for a controlled release of the water and opened the gates two to three days in advance.

However, PAGASA said that protocols or a preparatory phase had to be followed before the dams’ gates could be opened.

The agency said that it could initiate the preparatory phase, it was up to dam operators to decide when to release the water. PAGASA added that releasing water at night was also prohibited.

PAGASA said that the Magat Dam also opened its gates on November 9 and released water on full blast from November 12 to 13 at 3 a.m.

Effects on San Simon

One of the worst-hit areas by the typhoon is San Simon where 13 out of 14 barangays are still flooded.

Six barangays near the Pampanga River are also experiencing waist-deep water. Meanwhile, the floodwater in Barangay Santa Cruz has reached 12 feet.

Data from the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO) showed that there were around 12,000 families affected in San Simon.

Meanwhile, 300 houses were partially damaged due to the typhoon while the farmlands resembled a river due to the typhoon.

“Pag titignan mo halos tumigil na ‘yung ulan. Pero kagabi around 10 nag overflow na ‘yung Pampanga River, hindi na umuulan. So kung minsan kahit wala nang ulan, ‘yung water sa taas pupunta sa amin,” San Simon acting Mayor Leonora Wong said. — Joahna Lei Casilao/DVM, GMA News