FIELD REPORT

(June 23-26, 2008)

The field visit aimed to conduct on-site gathering of data and information on the
policies and practices in the operation of the Ambuklao Dam, Binga Dam and San
Roque Dam, a series of dams within the Agno River Basin. These data and
information are vital inputs to the review on the operation of the dams and the
preparation of a consolidated report on dams, entitled Dams in the Philippines, a
joint study of NWRB and JICA through Mr. Minoru Kamoto.
The field visit was conducted by the JICA Expert on River Management, Mr. Minoru
Kamoto and the NWRB Staff, Ms. Pacita F. Barba and Ms. Jesusa T. Roque from
June 23 -26, 2008. The field visit focused on the interview of technical
representatives of Ambuklao Dam, Binga Dam and San Roque Dam, site tour and
familiarization of their facilities.
Highlights of the Field Visit:
There are three series of dams constructed along the Agno River, namely: Ambuklao
Dam, Binga Dam and San Roque Dam. The Ambuklao Dam is located upstream of
the Agno River, downstream of it is the Binga Dam and the San Roque Dam is
located downstream of Binga Dam. Although these dams are in series, they have their
own operation rules approved by the National Water Resources Board (NWRB).
The Ambuklao and Binga hydroelectric plants have been privatized and the new
owner is the SN Aboitiz Power, Inc. (SNAPI). The turnover ceremony from National
Power Corporation (NPC) to SNAPI will be on July 3, 2008. The San Roque
Multipurpose Dam is constructed under Built Operate and Transfer (BOT) by San
Roque Power Corporation (SRPC)
The data and information gathered from each dam are as follows:
1. Ambuklao Dam
The visit to Ambuklao Dam was assisted by Dr. Jerald M. Cervantes, Principal
Engineer B of NPC. He provided the data and information on operation practices
of the Ambuklao Dam.
The Ambuklao Dam is located in Bokod, Benguet, some 16 kilometers northeast
of Baguio City, Its construction started in 1950 and operated in 1956 for power
generation and flood control. It is an earth and rockfill dam of 129 meters high,
with 258 MCM usable storage and 75 MW power capacity. However, at present,
the usable storage capacity of Ambuklao reservoir decreased to 190.0 MCM due

to the high rate of sedimentation flow into the reservoir, which started in 1990
caused by the strong earthquake. The hydroelectric plant was rehabilitated from
1992 to 1995 and then resumed its operation from 1995 to 1999. It has not been
operating since 2000 due to leaks at inlet valves and high tailwater. Because the
plant is not functioning, the dam is releasing water through its bypass outlets for
the power generation of Binga dam. The operation of the 8 spillway gates are
under the control of flood forecasting and warning system located in Binga Dam.
Preservation of generating units, O&M of substation, dewatering due to the leaks
and the operation of spillway gates are the present activities in the Ambuklao
Dam. There is a plan to rehabilitate the plant by the new owner, which is to be
discussed may be after the turnover of the plant from NPC. Dr. Cervantes guided
the tour in the facilities of Ambuklao Dam.
2. Binga Dam
Engr. Rene D. Rivera, the Plant Manager of Ambuklao, Binga and Angat dams,
discussed the operational activities of Binga Dam. He also assisted the tour in
Binga Dam and its facilities.
The Binga Dam is located in Binga, Itogon, Benguet Province, some 31
kilometers east of Baguio City, or 19 km downstream of Ambuklao Dam. The
construction of the dam started in 1956 and started its operation in 1960 for power
generation and flood control. The Binga Dam is an earth and rockfill dam of
107.37m high with a designed capacity of 100 MW. The reservoir has designed to
a usable storage of 48.2 MCM in a drawdown of 20m from El. 575 to El. 555. At
present, the usable storage of Binga Reservoir decreased to 22 MCM due to the
high rate of sedimentation caused by strong earthquake in 1990. Although there is
no enough stored water, the Binga is operating normally and generating 100 MW
in average owing to the augmentation of the Ambuklao water releases. The flood
forecasting and warning system of Ambuklao, Binga and San Roque dams is
located in Binga Dam and it is operational.
The SNAPI, the new owner of Ambuklao and Binga Dam has planned to
rehabilitate the Binga reservoir, which is to be discussed after the turnover
ceremony on July 3, 2008.
3. San Roque Multipurpose Dam
Engr. Raymund Mariano, Facility Engineer of San Roque Power Corporation
(SRPC) discussed the operation of the San Roque Multipurpose Dam and guided
the tour of San Roque Dam facilities.
The San Roque Multipurpose Dam is located in San Manuel, Pangasinan Province,
downstream of Binga Dam. It was constructed in 1998 and started its operation in
2002 by the SRPC under the Built Operate and Transfer (BOT) scheme. The
purposes of the dam are for power generation, irrigation, flood control and

improvement of water quality. It is a rockfill dam of 195m high. The

hydroelectric plant has a capacity of 400 MW. The reservoir has usable storage of
850 MCM. The water releases from the reservoir are in accordance with the
reservoir operation rule approved by the National Water Resources Board. The
load dispatch of the hydroelectric plant is under the discretion of the National
Power Corporation.
The San Roque hydroelectric plant supposedly operates only during peak hours.
However, due to the absence of re-regulating pond for irrigation water, the plant
operates 24 hours a day to serve the need of National Irrigation Administration.
This 24-hour operation has impact to the maintenance of the plant and water
conservation. Also, due to the absence of the re-regulating pond downstream of
the dam, the flow downstream is unregulated that affect the structures, in-stream
environment and the people living near river bank. Mr. Mariano informed that
SRPC did not construct the re-regulating pond because at the time of the
construction of the dam, the NIA averred
3. National Irrigation Administration
The NIA office in Rosales, Pangasinan was visited for the enlightenment on the
issue of why the re-regulating pond has not yet constructed. Mr. Celestino Sta.
Ana, the Division Chief of Institutional Development Division of Pangasinan
Irrigation Office discussed the issue on the construction of re-regulating pond.
According to Mr. Sta. Ana, the construction of the reregulating pond was
integrated before with the hydropower component, to be included in the
construction of the San Roque dam, but it was not financially feasible by ICC
(Investment Coordinating Committee) of NEDA, so it was transferred to the
irrigation component. NIA then proposed to JBIC for funding and until the date of
visit, there is no approval yet from JBIC. He also mentioned that while waiting for
the funding of the re-regulating pond, NIA is doing best effort to improve their
irrigation system.
The construction of re-regulating pond and rehabilitation of irrigation canal in the
Agno River irrigation system will developed around 70,000 hectares irrigable area,
which is 6 times of the existing irrigable area of 12,000 hectares.. Construction of
the reregulating pond should be facilitated for peaking power by SRPC. SRPC is
doing base load now for irrigation. The presence of reregulating pond will help
address the issues on sustainability of irrigation requirement and in the
achievement of NIAs goal of making the province of Pangasinan as the number
one rice producing province in the Philippines. Pangasinan is currently the third
rice producing province in the Philippines next to Nueva Ecija (irrigation source
is the Pantabangan dam) and Isabela (irrigation source is the Magat dam).

1. Baguio Water District

In the course of dam visits, the coordination with the staff of Baguio Water
District (BWD) was made to have updates on the status of their water supply. At
present, BWD maintains five sources of its water supply namely: Sto. Tomas Rain
Basin, a 9 hectare- rain water collector and Cam-it, Amlang, Buyog and Stage 1
as the four deepwells. Three deepwells are proposed to be drilled in 2008 as
additional source of water supply.
Water availability may be one of the current issues to address in the city. Water
rationing is being made during summer and even during rainy season because the
supply is not enough to satisfy the demand of about 90% of Baguio Citys
population for 24 hours operation. On the other hand, water quality in the city is
within the standard parameters of Drinking Water Quality Standard of DOH.
5.

Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical

Administration (PAGASA), Baguio City

and

Astronomical

Services

Also, coordination with PAGASA staff was made to collect rainfall data during
the occurrence of tropical cyclones. Raw data are available but are not allowed for
reproduction outside the office. Besides, the dates of the occurrence of typhoons
have to be gathered first from their files of typhoon advisories. The staff referred
the group to PAGASA Central Office in Quezon City because all the rainfall data
are forwarded to the central office for processing.
It was informed that no significant amount of rainfall is contributed in Benguet
and Eastern Pangasinan by the typhoon Frank.
Findings and Recommendations:
2. The conduct of review on the operation of Ambuklao and Binga dams is
recommended to defer for the meantime pending to the plans of the new owner of
the hydroelectric plants.
3. The operation of the San Roque Dam should be closely coordinated with the NIA,
SRPC and NPC especially during the start of cropping operation to ensure enough
water for the sustainability of the crops.
4. A study on the impact of climate change on the three dams should be conducted
and be considered in their operational activities.
Next Step.
1. Conduct a revisit the Ambuklao Dam and Binga Dam for the operation and
rehabilitation plan/activities under the new owner SN Aboitiz Power, Inc.
2. Conduct of field visit to Lanao Lake and Agus Hydroelectric Plant (series of
dams) in Mindanao will be scheduled in September 2008.