Lorenzana backs Año proposal to place dams under NDRRMC during typhoons

November 17, 2020

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana expressed support for the proposal of Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año to place the decision on opening dams to the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) following widespread flooding in Cagayan.

"I think that is good to avoid blame games. We will take the responsibility if we made a mistake," Lorenzana said.

"I agree with that if we can only give us (authority), during typhoon only, during typhoon and rain. Otherwise under normal conditions let's give it to NIA, National Irrigation Administration," he added.

However, Lorenzana said the opening of Magat Dam is only one of the reasons that caused severe floods in Cagayan Valley.

"There is only one dam in Cagayan Valley. I think it contributed a part of the flooding, the water to flood Cagayan, Tuguegarao. If all the water comes from Magat (Dam) they can file charges, but no, it's just part of the series of rivers," he said.

"If you look at the configuration of Cagayan Valley there are two mountains on its side. There are Cordillera and Sierra Madre. Not only the Magat Dam and river that flooded the area. Maybe there are around 11 rivers that contribute water to the Cagayan River," he added.

Lorenzana said the government is developing a plan that will provide a long-term solution to the flooding in Cagayan Valley.

"A plan is being developed to address... this problem in a long term way, not the short term which (is) only done during the crisis...," he said.

Lorenzana said there were studies in the 1980s about dredging the Cagayan River. He added reforestation was recommended because water is moving down so fast.

"So the plans are there. I hope that It can be implemented soon and it can be sustained so that we can also avert this kind of disaster in the future," he added. Robina Asido/DMS