The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) on Tuesday said it utilizes artificial intelligence (AI) to ensure a timely public advisory on the release of water in dams under its operational management.
During a hybrid Palace briefing, NIA Administrator Eduardo Guillen said they have an advanced forecast system to provide ample time intervals between the announcement and the actual water release to ensure the safety and preparedness of communities that may be affected.
“Dito po sa NIA, ang totoo po niyan (Here at NIA, the truth is) two weeks prior. Mayroon kasing ginagamit ang NIA ngayon na itong ating (the NIA is utilizing our) advance weather forecasting system na may (with) AI technology,” he said.
“Ang pinaka-maiksi po na abiso natin sa kanila around mga (The shortest advisory that we have for them would be about) four days to one week, ganoon po tayo kasigurado sa ating (that’s how sure we are in the) forecaster system in NIA.”
As of 8 a.m. Tuesday, the water level in Magat dam reached 185.03 meters, lower than its 190 normal high water level; while the Pantabangan dam was at 194.11 meters.
“Ang atin pong high dams under ng NIA ay hindi po nagre-release ng tubig. Ang nag-release lamang po ay itong (The high dams under NIA have not released water yet. The one which initially released water is the) Ipo dam,” he said.
He added the release of water in the Ipo dam may affect residents in Bulacan.
To date, the water level in Angat dam is at 198.11 meters, while 100.28 meters in Ipo dam.
Guillen made the clarification after damage to crops and infrastructures in irrigated areas were reported following the combined effects of the enhanced southwest monsoon and Severe Tropical Storm Crising (Wipha).
To date, the NIA reported around PHP339.3 million worth of initial damage to crops and about PHP866 million worth of infrastructure damage.
These include partial damage recorded in 31,172 hectares of agricultural land in the Cordillera Administrative Region, Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, particularly the Upper Pampanga River Integrated Irrigation Systems (UPRIIS) area, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol, and Western Visayas.
The NIA chief, meanwhile, assured aid to affected farmers under its “Bagong Bayaning Magsasaka” contract growing program.
“Nakahanda palagi ang NIA na tumulong sa inyo lalo na po kapag ganitong may mga calamities… Patuloy ang ugnayan namin ng Department of Agriculture para mabigyan po kayo ng mga kailangan ninyong mga seeds para makapagtanim po ulit (The NIA is always ready to assist you in times of calamities like this… We are in continuous coordination with the Department of Agriculture to provide you with the needed seeds to replant again),” Guillen said. (PNA)
