Pasig, Cagayan rivers 'top priority' for Japan-funded flood control projects
The Pasig-Marikina River Basin and the Cagayan River Basin were chosen as top priority in the implementation of Japan-funded flood control projects in the country, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said on Thursday, June 8.
In a statement, the DPWH said the prioritization of the two major waterways in Luzon is stipulated in the memorandum of agreement it signed with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) on Wednesday, June 7, under the “Project for Enhancement of Flood Control Strategy in Prioritized River Basins”.
DPWH Senior Undersecretary Emil K. Sadain explained that the Pasig-Marikina River Basin was chosen because of the need for an urgent alternative flood control measures for the once recommended flood storage dam due to the construction of water supply dam by the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS)
The Cagayan River Basin, on the other hand, was picked due to the urgency to update its necessary masterplan which was earlier delayed over the need for huge funding.
“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,” said Sadain.
The DPWH-JICA joint study project, which will span for one and a half year, will include the evaluation of existing flood-control master plans for the target river basins and the conduct of pre-feasibility studies in carrying out the master plans.
Some expected outputs after the joint study project on Pasig-Marikina and Cagayan River Basins are preliminary flood risk assessment, updated flood control master plan, pre-feasibility for priority projects, and promotion of basin-wide collaboration with concerned agencies, particularly local government units. (Nicole Magmanlac)