Pantabangan Dam supply enough for irrigation, power

MANILA – Pantabangan Dam in Nueva Ecija will still serve the irrigation and power requirements of Central Luzon in July despite its dipping water level.

On Saturday at 6 a.m., the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) recorded the dam’s water level at 187.71 meters, or 0.23 meters lower 24 hours earlier.

Pantabangan’s normal-high water level is 216 meters.

The current supply is enough, PAGASA hydrologist Edgar dela Cruz said.

“That dam can still supply water this July,” he told the Philippine News Agency.

Once rainfall increases, dela Cruz said the level can rise to at least 192 meters by the end of July.

The southwest monsoon (habagat) that brings rains is stronger between August to October, he added.