SUV floats in Calumpit flood after family wraps it in canvas

A family in Bulacan was surprised when the SUV they wrapped in canvas to protect it from flood floated inside their garage in Calumpit.

According to Cedric Castillo's report on "24 Oras," many residents bring their cars to nearby bridges to keep them from the floods at their homes.

In the case of Jim Halili's family, they carefully wrapped the SUV from the tires up. To their surprise, the SUV was moved from its place when the flood rose.

Neighbors helped them carry the vehicle to safer and higher ground.

“Lumulutang ‘yung sasakyan so ibig sabihin walang tubig sa loob. Nung medyo sumasayad na po ‘yung gulong sa ilalim sa ilalim na part, marami kaming kabaranggay na tinulungan po kami unti-unit na po naming binuhat yung sasakyan,” said the owner.

(The car floated so it means there’s no water inside. Our neighbors helped us in lifting it.)

Several municipalities in Bulacan remain flooded following the devastation of the enhanced southwest monsoon (habagat) and Typhoons Egay and Falcon.

But local authorities also pinpoint the Bustos Dam as one of the reasons for the persistent flooding. Three gates of the dam are open as of 5 p.m.

“Kanina pong umaga alas-otso, ang elevation ng Bustom Dam is 16.95 [meters]. Alas-onse po nag 17.05 [meters]. Ibig sabihin malakas ang local flow. Mas malakas ang pumapasok kesa sa discharge natin,” Francis Claro, Bulacan Irrigation Management Office Water Control Coordinating Unit, said.

(At around 8 a.m., the Bustos Dam elevation was at 16.95 meters.  It increased to 17.5M at around 11 a.m. This means the local flow was strong. There were more water supplies coming in than being discharged.)

“Ang normal elevation natin during operation is 17.35 [meters]. Since na may calamity tayo, may rainfall tayo na nare-receive na malakas, nagbibigay kami ng allowance para may room si Bustos na kung may parating na palaki, unti-unti natin siyang mare-release to reduce floodings around the stream,” Claro added.

(The normal elevation during operations is 17.35M. Since there’s a calamity, we give allowance so the dam will have room to cater to the water supply. We also release water slowly to reduce flooding around the stream.)

Senators question NIA’s lack of coordination

Meanwhile, the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee questioned the  National Irrigation Authority (NIA) over its alleged lack of coordination with the local government when releasing water from the Bustos Dam.

“Bakit po pag binuksan yung dam, ‘yung Bustos dam ay hindi niyo kino-coordinate sa mga local government officials? Nabigla na lang po sila nung Sabado, high tide pa po noon,” Tolentino, committee chairperson, said.

(Why are you not coordinating with local government officials when opening the gates? They were surprised last Saturday with the sudden release of water when they were experiencing high tide.)

“Kayo po ba lahat ang nagbubukas ng dam kahit wala pong abiso sa governor, sa mga mayor affected o discretion niyo na lang yun?” he said.

(Do you do that to all dams? Even without advisories to the governors or mayors of the affected communities?)

NIA Acting Administrator Eduardo Guillen denied the allegation and said: “Ang mode of dissemination and information, ‘yung protocol po nila dito, is may advance information po ang PDRRMO regarding sa spilling activity ng dam natin”.

(The protocol is to provide advanced information to the PDRRMO.)

Measuring only 2.5 meters, the NIA explained the Bustos Dam is not a water reservoir but a diversion dam that is meant to deliver water to the irrigation system. It can release water of at least 200 cubic meters per second in volume.

This means that the Bustos Dam will swell should it receive water that is more than its capacity.

“So anuman po ang bababa sa Ipo, Angat, Manicnic,Bayabas dam, dadaan lang po ito sa atin sa Bustos Dam, so hindi naman po kami yung flood control 'no, kami po ay sa irigasyon lamang,” said Guillen.

(Whatever the Ipo, Angat, Manicnic, or Bayabas Dam release, it will only pass through the Bustos Dam. We’re not assigned for flood control but for irrigation only.) —Sundy Locus/NB, GMA Integrated News