DPWH, JICA okay flood control projects in Marikina, Cagayan rivers

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) made an agreement on Wednesday for flood control in the Pasig-Marikina River and the Cagayan River basins.

According to DPWH Undersecretary Emil Sadain, the project will help the government to improve its current flood plans and create flood control plans, citing the example of Typhoon Ulysses (international name: Vamco), which caused floods in the two river basins mentioned.

Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan added that the project will also help in the department’s INFRAgenda 2028, a strategic plan running from 2023 to 2028, part of which involves addressing the country’s problem of floods.

READ: DPWH ramps up P175-B Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge work

The DPWH said that the project will take a year and six months to complete, which has three stages: data collection, updating of plans, and feasibility studies.

READ: La Union gets new road, dike

The department and the JICA added that the plan will also take gender equality and women empowerment into priority during the course of the project.

Other government agencies, such as the Metro Manila Development Authority, the Department of the Interior and Local Government, and the Department of Science and Technology, will also be part of the project.