Record rainfall blamed for last month’s heavy flooding in Pangasinan

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan — Blame it on the rain.

Vice Gov. Oscar Lambino and the provincial board here conducted a probe last Friday on the massive flooding that submerged many local towns and cities during typhoon "Chedeng."

There were rumors at the height of the typhoon’s rampage that the San Roque Dam, supposedly built to accommodate excess water from the Binga and Ambuklao Dams during heavy rains, was forced to release water and that one of its gates allegedly broke.

Retired Admiral Virgilio Marcelo, vice president and director for community and government programs of the San Roque Multipurpose Dam, has denied the allegations.

But engineer Arthuro Ladislao, chief of the weather bureau’s Flood Forecasting Center in Rosales town, said "Chedeng" was all to blame for the flood woes last month.

Citing records taken by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) at the height of the typhoon, Ladislao said "Chedeng" brought the heaviest rainfall ever recorded in the province compared to typhoon "Gading" in 1998 which knocked out power here for a month.

Binga Dam, Ladislao said, registered 151 millimeters of rainfall on May 27 compared to 96 mm in 1998.

Mt. Ampukaw, on the other hand, collected 276 mm of rainfall last May 27 compared to 143 mm in 1998.

Sta. Barbara town, which is near the Sinocalan River, had the most recorded rainfall at 593 mm. In 1998, Ladislao said, the town had only 100 mm.

Carmen town, he said, had 298 mm of rainfall, while the Wawa River in Bayambang town had 211 mm.

These areas, he added, registered less than 100 mm of rainfall in 1998.

Although the province’s rivers did not overflow during the record downpour of "Chedeng," the rains nevertheless caused flooding downstream, Ladislao said.

Despite Ladislao’s explanation, second district board member Juan Amor questioned the San Roque Dam’s behavior during the rains.

Although the dam did not release water, San Roque officials, he said, failed to coordinate with the other dams.

"With all the flooding all around, people began to suspect that you were hiding something, though there was really nothing to report (on your part). Your silence alone was already misconstrued," he told the San Roque Dam officials.

Marcelo said, "In managing water releases during typhoons, the National Power Corp. has the option to put us in full capacity so we can drain water to the extent that it can accommodate the inflow."

He added that the dam’s maximum water level is 290 meters. Its capacity, however, did not reach alarming levels so they did not release water.

Lambino said the inquiry was conducted to come up with a resolution requesting the government to put up more flood prevention measures.

"Pangasinenses have suffered so much because of floods. They are now exasperated, very desperate. Something has to be done by responsible officials. We have to appease the hurt feelings of Pangasinenses," Lambino said.

He added that there should be better communications and that concerned agencies must constantly update the people.