Government asked to stop construction of new dams

MANILA, Philippines - Two lawmakers urged the government yesterday to suspend the construction of giant dams and to study alternatives for the supply of potable and irrigation water, as well as sources of power.

In Resolution 1461, Butil Representatives Leonila Chavez and Agapito Guanlao cited the death, destruction and untold misery caused by storm “Ondoy” and typhoon “Pepeng,” which were aggravated by water released from dams.

“Giant dams are a clear and present danger to lives and property during the rainy season,” read the resolution.

“During long dry spells, they mostly fail to serve their constituents, who are farmers, potable water users and consumers of electricity.

“Entire villages and townships, including communities of indigenous peoples, had to be displaced to build these multi-purpose giant dams.”

The two lawmakers said dams are being shut down in California, and that the largest dam construction in history – the Three Gorges Dam in China – is now being questioned on environment, social and economic grounds.

Other technologies are available to meet potable and irrigation water and power needs without resorting to building giant dams, they added.

Chavez and Guanlao said small and medium-sized water impounding systems run by farmers are deemed as safer and cheaper alternatives.

“What is needed is a 21st century solution to potable and irrigation water and power needs,” they said.

‘Stop pointing at each other’

Pangasinan Gov. Amado Espino Jr. called on the managements of San Roque Dam, National Power Corp., and the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services (Pagasa) to stop pointing at the other as being responsible for the floods that devastated and submerged 34 towns and three cities in his province last Friday.

Speaking to reporters, Espino said he wanted to know whom the residents of Pangasinan could sue for the devastation brought upon them.

”Who is in charge (of water dam release)?” he asked. “What are the procedures they followed?”

“They are finger-pointing here. They wanted to show they did their jobs. Who was at fault? They’re trying to point out it was us, the local governments, please don’t. That’s unfair.”

Espino said no proper warning was sent to local officials, especially those whose areas that are traversed by the Agno River from which the water from San Roque Dam flows.

During Wednesday’s Senate hearing, Espino brought with him Mayors Nonato Abrenica and Manuel Collado of Villasis and Alcala towns, which were heavily flooded after water was released from the San Roque Dam at the height of Pepeng last Friday.

Espino said based on information given to him, Napocor gives the order to release water from San Roque Dam.

“Our province was devastated, many people died, and they were telling falsehoods,” he said.

“They should stop lying,” he added. “What is their protocol? What is their SOP?”

Espino said San Roque Dam released water at 600 cubic meters per second at noon yesterday.

“They can do it in daytime,” he said. “Why did they release midnight when Pepeng ravaged Pangasinan?”

Espino said the dam was built to generate electricity, regulate flooding and to provide irrigation.

“Why is it that they are now being blamed for the flooding?” he said. – Jess Diaz, Eva Visperas