There’s still hope for Nueva Ecija farms

SAN FERNANDO CITY, Pampanga — An official of the National Irrigation Authority (NIA) has expressed confidence that the newly constructed, 27-kilometer tunnel supplying water to the Pantabangan Dam from the Casecnan River would save ricelands in Nueva Ecija from drying up even when the El Niño dry spell hits the country later this year.

Proceso Domingo, operations manager of NIA’s Upper Pampanga River Integrated Irrigation System (UPRIIS), said the Pantabangan Dam continues to be supplied with water from the Casecnan River and that its water level could rise up to 197.7 meters in a few weeks despite the lack of rain.

Domingo also clarified that while the dam’s water level has gone down to some 171 meters, water could still be pumped out to irrigate thousands of ricelands in Nueva Ecija and parts of Bulacan.

"At the level of 171.5 meters, the dam still has the capacity to release water as supported by the fact that the dam’s operation was extended from last April 30 to May 13," he said.

Domingo added that although the dreaded El Niño phenomenon may hinder the dam from attaining its maximum storage capacity of 220 meters, "we are confident that the l97.7-meter elevation can be (reached) with augmentation water that will come from the Casecnan River through the newly constructed tunnel leading to the Pantabangan reservoir."

He said they are taking all necessary precautions due to the abnormal weather forecast so that the dam could start operating on June 16 for the wet-season crops.