Manila: The National Power Corp. (NPC) San Roque Dam Office is set to open two gates of the San Roque Dam on Wednesday at 8 a.m. due to elevated water levels.

According to Philippines News Agency, NPC's notice regarding the dam discharge warning operation, issued on Tuesday, specified that the two gates would be opened to a total of two meters, equating to a water release of 300 cubic meters per second (cms). This action was prompted by the San Roque Dam reservoir's water level reaching 283.68 meters above sea level as of noon on September 1, surpassing its designated spilling level of 280 meters above sea level.

Ma. Teresa Serra, acting manager of the NPC Dams Management Department, explained in a phone interview that the release through the low-level outlet would be halted as the gates are opened. "The water level is already high and we have to manage it. But the good thing is it did not coincide with the flooding over the weekend. So by the time of the release tomorrow morning, the flooding downstream, hopefully, would have receded," she stated.

She further assured that even with the combined release from the turbine at approximately 270 cms on average, it would not result in flooding. NPC has advised local government units to quickly disseminate this information, especially to those residing near or along the riverbanks, to discourage water activities in these areas.