LINGAYEN -- The extent of devastation in the province of Pangasinan caused by the great flood that recently struck Eastern and Central Pangasinan is pegged at P2,007,920,000.

Based on the terminal report of the Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council (PDCC), affected worst is agriculture with an estimated damages of P4,180,213,447.54.

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As consolidated by the PDCC, 90,615.64 hectares of palay were submerged by the flood water coming from the San Roque Dam and from the different rivers systems.

About 90,615.64 hectares of palay was affected, the extent of damage is at P2,821,576,976.54.

The estimated volume of palay which was at reproductive to maturity stage is 4,697,442 cavans and 1,332 cavans of palay in seedling stage.

Loss in corn crops meanwhile is estimated to be at P18,230,700 (1,776.73 cavans) planted at 522.10 hectares.

Some 1,028 units of fishpen and fishcages (mostly with bangus) either were damaged or overflowed when water rose particularly in Central Pangasinan. Loss is recorded at P997,032,611.

The extent of damage on national infrastructures (roads, bridges, irrigation, and flood control systems) is at P1,272,180,000 while on provincial infrastructures is at P52,475,000.

With the help of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) sub-offices and allied offices here, the province is gearing up for the immediate rehabilitation of majors roads, bridges and parts of the Agno river dikes damaged by the recent typhoon.

New dam water release protocol

Meanwhile, the Provincial Government welcomed the adoption by the National Power Corporation (Napocor) of an interim protocol regarding release of water from the San Roque Dam.

From the old 280 meter above sea level spilling level, this was reduced to 278 meters.

“Hope this is already clear. Hope this teaches a lesson so that the incidents during the previous typhoons would be avoided,” said PDCC Chief Paterno Orduna.

He said Napocor forwarded a copy of the protocol to his office last October 21. The PDCC immediately disseminated the communication to all local government units for them to inform the people.

The recent deluge that struck Pangasinan, according to the PDCC, has eventually served as an eye-opener to the agencies involved specifically the Napocor, thus coming up with an improved interim protocol governing water release in its dam.

Last Monday during the evaluation meeting presided by Governor Amado Espino Jr., the mayors and provincial officials called for the decommissioning of the San Roque Dam because of the indifference showed by Napocor on the question raised as to who was responsible in giving the orders for the releases of huge volume of water during Typhoon Pepeng.

The start of water release was too late as the water level at the dam reservoir was already way above the 280 meter protocol.

Orduna said the amended rules will now be implemented in anticipation of the arrival of Typhoon Ramil (international name: Lupit).

Accordingly, an official protocol will be released next month after further consultation by Napocor with other government agencies.

Under the amended protocol, flood operation rule (water releases) are as follows:

1) Lower the high water level at San Roque dam by two,

2) Meters from 280 meters above sea leverl (MASL) to 278 meters MASL in order to increase the capability of flood control mitigation/function of the dam; 3) once the water level reaches 278 meters MASL, commence pre-spilling at 500 cubic meters per second (cms),

4) Continuous monitoring of water inflow, level of rainfall and path of typhoon,

5) Municipal Disaster and Coordinating Council to monitor the level of river swells during pre-spilling and provides feedback to NPC, and,

6) If water level continuous to rise despite release at 500 cms. Apply proportions increase rate of water spill taking into consideration the rate of inflow going to the Dam and the level of the Agno River downstream.

The interim protocol also states that upon confirmation and/or validation of the concerned agency that a spilling or pre-spilling operation shall be undertaken by the Napocor, various agencies are tasked to inform the public.

Six hours prior to the water release, Napocor will issue a general warning to the PDCC and to the local government units. Also included is the regular flood bulletin.