MAHINOG, Camiguin Province, Philippines – The officials of the “Born of Fire” province of Camiguin, especially in this town on Thursday expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Japan government for the construction and completion of the flood control projects, which according to them “a very vital structure in averting damage of lives and properties during calamities.”

The Japanese government through Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) built of Yen 1.03 billion (P568 million) “Project for Flood Disaster Mitigation in Camiguin Province”. The project was funded under the Japanese Officials Development Assistance grant and implemented by Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-Major Flood Control and Drainage Program, Cluster II Head Director Rogelio O. Ang.

The grant provided the construction of two Sabo dams (soil erosion control), barriers to prevent landslides, along Pontod River and the reconstruction of Hubangon Bridge.

The bridge forms part of the peripheral/ national road and spans across the Hubangon River.

The project spans the Hubangon and Pontod River basins in Camiguin Island, which straddles part of the Mindanao and Visayan islands.

The construction of the project was closely supervised by DPWH Secretary Rogelio L. Singson, Undersecretary Rafael Yabut, Assistant Secretary Emil Sadain and JICA representative Takahiro Sasaki, until it was completed and inaugurated last Saturday.

Camiguin Gov. Jurdin Jesus M. Romualdo, Rep. Pedro P. Romualdo and Mahinog Mayor Alex R. Jajalla expressed their deep gratitude for the Grant-Aid Project.

“On behalf of the Municipal Government and the people of Mahinog, I wish to convey our endless gratitude to the Japanese government through JICA, for extending its assistance in the completion of two Sabo dams and reconstruction of heavily damaged bridge that would help save lives and property particularly in the Municipality of Mahinog," said Mayor Jajalla.

It can be recalled that Camiguin was hit by massive flashflood triggered by typhoon “Nanang” in 2001 that left untold death and destruction in various parts of the island province.

The hardest hit was barangay Hubangon in the municipality of Mahinog.

Jajalla said with traumatic experiences after the flood, people are afraid every time it rains hard.

“The mere thought of knowing a tropical storm is coming sends shivers down the spines of many people, especially in Barangay Hubangon, the hardest hit during 'Nanang.'

“We are too scared every moment it rains very hard. We felt insecure and nervous, fearing the worst flood is to hit again,” Jajalla said.

He said after the project was in place, people can now sleep very well.

“Now with the huge Sabo dam in place, people will now feel safe and assured as we no longer fear being hit by flood as we know this dam is designed to control flooding, or lessen flood damage in low-lying areas,” the chief executive added.

“This project will not only provide the community for safer living condition; it will become an asset for greater economic productivity in this beautiful island of Camiguin,” stressed Mayor Jajalla.

“The new bridge that we also unveil today is more than just a bridge that links the entire province. This is, indeed, a bridge to the highway of opportunity that would drive trade and commerce, trigger local economy and generate job creation in the entire province,” the mayor added.

“The issue on climate change must be tackled urgently, with fresh perspective, in the light of rapid climate change that led to an increase in natural disasters that hit most parts of the country this year including the massive flooding that hit Cagayan de Oro and Iligan recently.”

“We will continue to lobby developed country governments like Japan to show more urgency in dealing with climate change and continue to provide additional grant aid projects related to climate change,” he said.