Senator Kiko Pangilinan said he will be filing a Senate resolution to probe the flooding in the wake of Typhoon Ulysses that killed at least 24 persons in Cagayan.
“Sunod-sunod na mga sakuna ang nangyari sa bansa nitong mga nakaraang linggo, pero dapat pa ring tanungin: Naiwasan kaya ito kung na-control nang maayos ang pagbukas ng mga flood gates ng Magat Dam? Kung nabigyan ba ng sapat na warnings ang ating mga kababayan na tatamaan ng mga pagbaha?” Pangilinan said.
As former chair of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) in 2014-2015, the veteran legislator said that there are protocols that should have been followed on dam discharge and flood warning.
“Merong protocol yan, at hindi lang sa ilalim ng isang ahensya. Coordinated dapat with PAGASA and the local governments lalo na sa usapin ng early warning. Kailangan din dapat nagsagawa ng inspections o kaya checkup sa mga warning stations at equipment. Ang pagbababala rin ay dapat through texts, radio, local TV — lahat ng paraan,” the seasoned lawmaker said.
“Sa madaling sabi, kung nasunod ang mga protocol at napaghandaan nang maayos si Ulysses, maaring naiwasan sana ito,” the senator said.
“The gates of Magat Dam were still closed 3 to 4 days prior to the landfall of Typhoon Ulysses, as opposed to its protocol.”
According to Infrawatch PH convenor Terry Ridon, the gates of Magat Dam were still closed 3 to 4 days prior to the landfall of Typhoon Ulysses, as opposed to its protocol that Magat should have been able to make sufficient water drawdown 2 to 3 days before landfall.
“The people of Cagayan have been planning to sue Magat Dam for the damage they experience every year.”
Cagayan Governor Manuel Mamba said that the people of Cagayan have been planning to sue Magat Dam for the damage they experience every year. Officials say this is the worst flooding in Cagayan in 45 years.
In an interview on Headstart, Vice President Leni Robredo also urged the affected regions to invest in “disaster-proofing” to mitigate the effects of the typhoons in their localities.
“Maraming karanasan sina VP Leni sa Bicol ukol sa mga bagyo. Makinig tayo sa mga scientist at eksperto at simulan nang mas lalong paigitingin ang ating disaster preparedness and response. Natuto na tayo dapat noong Ondoy at Yolanda. Hindi natin papalampasin ito at susuriin nating mabuti kung meron nga bang kapabayaan na nangyari,” Pangilinan said.
At least 50 villages in Cagayan Province are still isolated by floods as of November 16, according to the Inquirer.
Ulysses is the third major typhoon that have battered Luzon in three weeks. Damages to infrastructure from Typhoon Ulysses alone is estimated to be at P470 million.