Angat, Ipo dams water release continues

MANILA, Philippines —  The rains have stopped, but water was still being released from Angat and Ipo Dams yesterday.

The hydrometeorology division of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said two spill gates of Angat Dam from the earlier three remained open at one meter.

The water level in the dam was monitored at 213.31 meters yesterday.

“Angat and Ipo dams are still releasing water due to continued rains in their watersheds in the last few days. We are trying to prevent the dams from overflowing since it will affect the structural integrity of the dams,” Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) division manager Patrick Dizon said in a radio interview. ”Even though the rains had stopped, our watersheds became saturated... for sure the elevation of our reservoirs will increase.”

As of 6 a.m. yesterday, the water level in Ipo Dam was at 100.79 meters.

Dizon said the request of the MWSS to the National Water Resources Board to allow the water level in Angat Dam to reach 214 meters before releasing water is still pending with the NWRB.

Dizon gave assurance that the water crisis experienced when El Niño hit the country in 2019 would not be repeated. He said the water level in Angat at the time was at 210 meters.

“Now, we were able to save enough (water) because of the rains... We were able to implement augmentation measures so we will have sources of water,” he said.

Dizon noted that based on the projection of PAGASA, the effect of El Niño will be neutral by June or July 2024.

“The probability of a La Niña will increase and we are confident that historical data is accurate,” he said.

Dizon said Maynilad Water Services Inc. and Manila Water have also prepared for the drought.