Marcos: New dams, river projects to lessen flooding in Cagayan Valley

Cagayan Valley. INQUIRER FILES

CITY OF ILAGAN, ISABELA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday, Nov. 22, has ordered fast-tracking of his priority projects such as flood control structures, irrigation systems, and rehabilitation initiatives on major river basins and dams to lessen floods in Cagayan Valley.

“To all government agencies and the local government units, complete these projects to ease the danger and adverse effects brought by floods,” the president said.

READ: Marcos orders timely completion of Cagayan flood-control projects

Speaking to about 5,000 spectators at the Ilagan Community Center here, Marcos said one major flood mitigation project which is nearing completion is situated along the Pinacanauan de Tumauini River in Cagayan. Also known as the Tumauini River Multipurpose Project, it is also expected to irrigate 8,200 hectares of agricultural land and benefit around 5,860 local farmers.

The President also cited the retrofitting works at the Magat Dam in Ramon, Isabela.

He also cited the Balasig Small Reservoir Irrigation Project, which he believed would enhance flood mitigation and would provide irrigation water in northern Isabela through the Balasig River.

Also ongoing is the Tuguegarao Circumferential Dike Road Project, which seeks to protect villagers by stabilizing riverbank soil and increasing the river’s drainage capacity. Flood control structures along the Cagayan River, particularly in Barangay Anao, Roxas, Isabela; and Sta. Maria, Isabela have already been completed.

Marcos said he and national government officials would evaluate the master plans for key river basins in the country.

“At present, we are studying the master plans for the major river basins in the country, such as the Cagayan River Basin,” he said.

He ordered public works and irrigation agencies, among others, to work for completion of the disaster mitigation projects in Cagayan Valley to address floods plaguing the region.