CITY OF ILAGAN, Isabela (PIA) - - The administrator of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) has ordered the immediate dredging of the Magat dam reservoir due to the reported siltation in its impounding area.

NIA Administrator Benny Antiporda, during his visit to this province for the convergence meeting at the NIA - MRIIS office on Novermber 11, 2022, said there is a need to dredge the silted part of the Magat dam to allow more water to be stored for irrigation and power generation.

The convergence meeting was called by LGU Ramon, NIA - MRIIS and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) as an avenue to resolve and work together to protect and restore the watershed areas of the dam.

"Let us save the water from pollution; this is not the sole responsibility of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), it is everybody's concern. Let us work together for a common goal", Antiporda said. 

He urged all concerned agencies in protecting the watershed of the dam for the next generation.

DENR Cagayan Valley Regional Executive Director Gwendolyn Bambalan said she organized the convergence meeting to discuss not just the present situation of Magat Dam but to ensure a holistic partnership towards sustainable watershed and reservoir management.

"On the part of the DENR, we renew our commitment to working with all of you, for together we save watershed, we save lives," said Bambalan.

Meanwhile, Ramon Mayor Jesus Laddaran said the LGU is preparing an ordinance to regulate and enforce fishing in the Magat dam reservoir.

Laddaran said the LGU has the police power to enforce existing local ordinances to protect the watershed areas of Magat dam and the fishing industry inside the reservoir. (OTB/MGE / PIA Isabela)