Marikina City Second District Representative Miro Quimbo is pushing for clear protocols governing the operation of Upper Wawa Dam to protect flood-prone communities while ensuring a sufficient water supply amid the expected impact of a strong El Niño.
Quimbo reiterated the need for clear operational guidelines following an inter-agency consultation on October 28, which discussed proposed rules for dam management.
He said protocols should provide for the timely release of water from the reservoir and early warnings for communities in areas at risk of flooding.
However, Quimbo stressed that preemptive water releases must be balanced with the need to maintain adequate water reserves, particularly as El Niño is expected to persist until early 2027.
Relevant agencies are also studying the rehabilitation of the Old Wawa Dam, the construction of two dams in upstream areas, and the development of four retarding basins downstream.
Quimbo urged concerned agencies to base decisions on dam operations on scientific data and weather forecasts. These should include determining how much water must be retained in the reservoir and how quickly it can recover after water releases.
The lawmaker emphasized that discussions must lead to concrete measures to protect flood-vulnerable communities, particularly Tumana and Nangka in Marikina, while safeguarding the area’s water supply.
He said clear and coordinated protocols are necessary to address both flood risks and the potential water shortages associated with El Niño.