DPWH, JICA: Spotlight on Pasig-Marikina and Cagayan River Basins

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.

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

Meanwhile, the flood control measures for Cagayan River Basin is considered a priority in as much 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, said the Department.