SAN MANUEL–Dagupan City officials took a trip to San Roque Dam to gather baseline data for future legislation aimed at preparing the flood-prone city from further flood disasters.

Vice Mayor Fernandez said the trip enabled them, especially the newly elected officials, to learn more facts about the dam enabling them to have an idea on what to expect from it.

“We sought the audience with officials of the San Roque Power Corporation (SRPC) because we want to prepare for future floods although they said the dam is not contributing to the recurring floods in our city,” she said.

The city, she said, must have a contingency

plan in case of a worst-case scenario, like the dam breaking caused by a high intensity earthquake.

The SRPC officials, however, assured the visiting councilors that the dam could withstand even high intensity quakes.

Fernandez said the city council might pass an ordinance requiring base structures of new buildings to be set above sea level. Dagupan is one-meter below sea level.

Meanwhile, City Engineer Virginia Rosario said the trip was fruitful since it provided them insights into San Roque’s capabilities and true location.

She said based on the presentation by Tommy Valdez, SRPC vice president who showed a satellite map, water from the San Roque dam, does not flow to Dagupan because the Agno River is too far away.

Councilor Jesus Canto, however, expressed his concern about the established presence of cadmium and mercury in the Pantal River, proof, he said, that water from San Roque Dam is reaching Dagupan.

He pointed out that presence of heavy metals, such as cadmium and mercury, in the Pantal river could damage the city’s bangus industry.

With Fernandez, Canto and Rosario in the trip were Councilors Farah Decano, Dada Reyna, Alfie Fernandez, Danilo Torio, Alfredo Quinto and Lino Fernandez—LM

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