BUTUAN CITY – The Japan International CoopThe Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) along with the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) will start the joint ex-post evaluation of two Japanese-funded infrastructure projects in the country.eration Agency (JICA) along with the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) will start the joint ex-post evaluation of two Japanese-funded infrastructure projects in the country.

Two of Mindanao’s big projects to be reviewed jointly by the JICA and NEDA are the Phase II, and the Lower Agusan River Development Projects (LADP) – Flood Control (Stage I), and Irrigation (Stage II), and Rural Road Network Development Project (RRNDP).

The RRNDP II, with a total project cost of P6.4 billion, involved the rehabilitation and improvement of about 366.274 kilometers of roads and 1,007.48 linear meters (21 units) of bridges in the provinces of Ilocos Sur, Pangasinan, Cagayan, Nueva Ecija, Rizal, Camarines Sur, Iloilo, Negros Oriental, Eastern Samar, Misamis Oriental, Bukidnon, and Compostela Valley.

The RRNDP was constructed to provide safe and efficient regional road network that will link rural areas to major arterial roads, improving and promoting regional industries and living standards.
On the other hand, the LADP which costs P6.13 billion is one of the priority undertakings in the Agusan River Basin located in the Caraga Region.

With its two components, flood control and irrigation, the LADP’s purpose is to mitigate flood damage and increase agricultural production by irrigation facilities.

Engr. Rogelio O. Ang, project manager of the Cotabato-Agusan River Basin Development Project (CARBDP), said the LADP project already completed the following: East bank levee and cut off channel, Package 2; Magsaysay viaduct, Package 3; dredging of Banza River and initial resettlement  area, Package 4; urban drainage and dredging of Masao River.

However, he said additional work as supplemental agreement is ongoing like dredging of the Agusan Pequeno River and ground silt and additional dredging of Taguibo River, all of this city.