DPWH-JICA Identifies 2 Major Luzon River Basins in new flood control enhancement project

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) have agreed that the Pasig-Marikina River Basin and the Cagayan River Basin will be the top priorities of the upcoming Japan-funded technical cooperation for “Project for Enhancement of Flood Control Strategy in Prioritized River Basins”.

DPWH Senior Undersecretary Emil K. Sadain and JICA Disaster Risk Reduction Global Environment Department Deputy Director General Mr. Hosokawa Yukinari officially signed on Wednesday, June 7, 2023 the Minutes of Meeting after a series of discussions by the JICA detailed planning survey team with DPWH, other government agencies, and local government units concerned.

The technical cooperation project will be under the supervision of the DPWH Unified Project Management Office – Flood Control Management Cluster under the supervision of Project Director Ramon A. Arriola III.

In his report to DPWH Secretary Manuel M. Bonoan, Senior Undersecretary Sadain said that after a month-long meeting from May 1, 2023, both the DPWH and JICA have decided to include in the study the Pasig-Marikina River Basin in the National Capital Region because of the need for an urgent alternative flood control measures for the previously proposed flood storage dam due to the construction of water supply dam by the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS)

The comprehensive flood control measures such as river channel improvement of Upper Marikina River, improvement of Rosario Weir and Manggahan Floodway, retarding basin, flood control dam, study on Upper Wawa Dam operation rule for flood control will be considered.

Meanwhile, the flood control measures for Cagayan River Basin is considered a priority inasmuch as only partial works such as slope protection and dredging were implemented in the old masterplan due to the large amount of investment needed. It is necessary that the masterplan be updated and pre-feasibility study be conducted.

“Our flood-control interventions along these river basins can be improved to better protect nearby densely-populated areas due to recurrent and extensive flooding during rainy and typhoon seasons,” Senior Undersecretary Sadain said.

DPWH flood control measures in the major and principal river basins are implemented based on master plans.

The DPWH-JICA joint study project which will span for one (1) and a half year will cover the assessment of existing flood-control master plans for the target river basins, as well as updating of the master plans, and conduct of pre-feasibility studies in carrying out the master plans.

Expected outputs on Pasig-Marikina and Cagayan River Basins include: preliminary flood risk assessment; updated flood control master plan; pre-feasibility for priority projects; and promotion of basin-wide collaboration with concerned agencies and/or local government units.