The National Irrigation Administration (NIA) Region 1 has temporarily shut the intakes of dams across the entire region to prevent water from flowing out of irrigation canals intended for agricultural fields.

This directive came from NIA Region 1 Acting Regional Manager Engr. Geffrey Catulin, addressed to the provincial offices under the agency in the region.

According to Catulin, this measure is meant to protect newly planted rice crops from being affected by possible heavy rains, strong winds, or storms.

He also noted that aside from the San Roque Dam in Pangasinan, the rest of the dams in the region are relatively small and are under the monitoring of the central office.

He assured the public that the water level at San Roque Dam is still far from reaching the critical mark.