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The Philippine Air Force conducts an aerial reconnaissance over Cagayan on November 16, 2020 amid widespread flooding in the region. AFP-PAO
MANILA, Philippines – Senator Richard “Dick” Gordon called for better oversight from the National Irrigation Administration to prevent a repeat of the disastrous flooding that engulfed Cagayan and Isabela after Typhoon Ulysses struck.
“We cannot solve everything through legislation, all the laws are there. The important thing is that the NIA is properly supervised, ”Gordon said in a statement.
Gordon advised the NIA to practice the 4Ps – predict, plan, prepare and practice, as the Philippine Red Cross, of which he is president and CEO, does to try to minimize the effects of disasters and save as many lives as may be possible.
“They should practice the 4Ps. At the Red Cross we have the four Ps, you have to predict the danger, plan what you will need. Learn, then you have to prepare and practice, ”Gordon said.
“When you predict, you know the storm is coming, the storm is coming, there must be protocols. When the typhoon approaches, you must let go of it, not the one you are waiting for on the last day. “
(When you predict, you already know the typhoon is coming and there must be protocols. When the typhoon is close, you need to start pumping water and not wait for the last day).
Cagayan, Isabela and other neighboring provinces were submerged in the floods after the Maagat dam released water after the arrival of Typhoon Ulysses.
Previous reports suggested that Magat Dam had to release some of its water, through seven spillway gates, as it was already at a critical level.
Wilfredo Garcia, operations manager for the Magat River Integrated Irrigation System, said in a previous Inquirer report that stopping the release of water while the dam was at a critical level could result in more massive destruction.
CFC
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