LA TRINIDAD, Benguet, Philippines—Operators of the Ambuklao and Binga dams said Saturday they welcomed a review of all protocols regarding the emergency release of water during typhoons, and of the requisite warning systems.

They said, however, that dredging the water reservoirs to increase their water-carrying capacity would be too difficult and costly.

Dredging could desilt the reservoirs and allow the dams to hold more water during heavy rains but the task would be enormous and the amount needed for the job would be large, said lawyer Michael Hosillos, external relations manager of SN Aboitiz Power Benguet Inc. (Snap Benguet).

"But we will fully support and cooperate with the intended review of the protocols on critical water levels and the release of water during typhoons," Hosillos told the Inquirer on Saturday.

The power firm started operating Ambuklao Dam in Bokod town and Binga Dam in Itogon last year.

In a Senate hearing on Friday, officials of the National Power Corp. agreed to review the protocols on water releases after the NPC was criticized for allowing the release of heavy volumes of water from the San Roque Dam in San Manuel, Pangasinan, at the height of Tropical Depression "Pepeng" last week.

The San Roque reservoir catches water released from the Ambuklao and Binga dams in upstream Agno River.

Local government officials, businessmen and farmers in Pangasinan have threatened to sue Napocor, charging that water releases from the San Roque dam caused the massive flooding in the province last week.

Hundreds of people died in floods and landslides spawned by Pepeng in Northern Luzon.

Hosillos said the water releases of both dams have always adhered to protocols observed during typhoons.

Hosillos said a review of protocols is always welcome, he said.

Based on the operations and maintenance agreement the company executed with Napocor, the two dams are immediately placed under Napocor's control under three conditions: when there is a forecast inflow of 200 cubic meters per second, rainfall is recorded at 55 millimeters, and when there is a typhoon.

Hosillos said the control is exercised through coordination with the weather bureau.

He said the two dams released water in accordance with the existing protocols when Pepeng hit Northern Luzon. The protocol includes the dissemination of warnings and notices to concerned local governments and communities.

"Our water releases were normal. They were done in consideration of the safety and welfare of communities where the water passed through," he said.

On the suggestion to dredge the reservoirs, Hosillos said the Ambuklao and Binga dams have been operating for more than 60 years and efforts to desilt them would be difficult.

"Our rehabilitation efforts had considered the amount of silt in the water and in the reservoirs themselves.... Desilting would be a difficult process and has environment issues," he said.

The Napocor maintains two other dams in Luzon—Angat in Bulacan and San Roque in Pangasinan.

SN Aboitiz also operates the Magat Dam in Isabela, but it is the National Irrigation Administration that comes in to implement protocols during typhoons.