DPWH, ADB PREPARE COMPREHENSIVE FLOOD RISK MANAGEMENT PLANS FOR MAJOR AND PRINCIPAL RIVER BASINS
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), in partnership with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), is leading the development of comprehensive flood risk management master plans for three (3) major and principal river basins in the Philippines.
Senior Undersecretary Emil K. Sadain, in-charge of DPWH infrastructure flagship projects, reported to Secretary Manuel M. Bonoan that currently on-going are preparation of updated master plan of three (3) river basins under package 5B of the ADB-assisted Infrastructure Preparation and Innovation Facility (IPIF) Additional Financing for Water Projects (Output 2).
The draft master plans and priority projects for the three (3) river basins namely the Mag-Asawang Tubig and neighboring basins in the provinces of Oriental and Occidental Mindoro (Region IV-B); the Agno River that originates in the central mountain range of Cordillera with its river system and tributaries extending to Benguet, Mountain Province, and Ifugao in Cordillera Administrative Region, Pangasinan in Region I, Nueva Vizcaya in Region II, and partly Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga and Zambales in Region III; and the Cadac-an River Basin in Leyte (Region VIII) were presented by the Study Consultants during the second meeting on September 11, 2024 of the Steering Committee for the ADB-assisted IPIF Additional Financing - Water Projects (Output 2) chaired by Senior Undersecretary Sadain.
"In line with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and the policy instruction of Secretary Bonoan, the master plans being prepared will not only provide a strategic and long-term approach to flood risk management but also have to be integrated with the other sectors to conserve and utilize the water beneficially like for irrigation, water supply and power", said Senior Undersecretary Sadain.
The study, which focuses on areas most vulnerable to severe flooding, lays the groundwork for future flood control infrastructure investments, ensuring that these projects are cost-effective and systematically planned in enhancing disaster resilience and improving water management.
The Steering Committee Meeting and presentation of the draft flood risk management master plan was attended by ADB Principal Water Resources Specialist Eric Quincieu; DPWH Assistant Secretary Constante A. Llanes, who co-chairs the Steering Committee; National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Assistant Secretary Roderick M. Planta; National Irrigation Administration (NIA) Deputy Administrator Cezar M. Sulaik; Unified Project Management Office-Flood Control Management Cluster (UPMO-FCMC) Project Director Ramon A. Arriola III; CAR Regional Director Khadaffy D. Tanggol; Stakeholders Relations Service Director Randy R. Del Rosario; and Technical Working Group Head and UPMO FCMC Project Manager Michael T. Alpasan and Project Manager Rosemarie B. Del Rosario of Environmental and Social Safeguards Division - Planning Service.
Other Steering Committee Members present are representatives from Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Science and Technology - Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Adminisration (DOST-PAGASA), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), National Water Resources Board (NWRB), and River Basin Control Office (RBCO) to ensure a comprehensive approach to water resources management.
Among the areas being studied, the Agno River Basin - the fifth largest river systems with a catchment area of 5,937 square kilometers and river length of 206 kilometers, presents significant flood risks for low-lying provinces like Pangasinan and Tarlac during heavy rains because of insufficient current flood control structures designed and completed beyond the returned year period of flooding.
In Mindoro Provinces, the Mag-Asawang Tubig and Neighboring River Basins poses threats to agricultural zones and coastal towns due to heavy siltation of waterways and bank erosion, while Leyte's Cadac-an River Basin remains highly vulnerable to tropical storms and typhoons because of small discharge capacity.
The DPWH UPMO-FCMC, along with consultants from Saman Corporation, Royal HaskoningDHV, Dohwa Engineering Company Ltd., and Kyong-Ho Engineering, is working closely with local government units (LGUs), national agencies, and development partners to ensure a comprehensive assessment of flood risks and vulnerabilities for each river basin.
Given the unique geographical, hydrological, and environmental conditions, the DPWH has chosen to develop independent master plans for each of the 18 major river basins and 421 other principal river tributaries. These master plans are being updated with the support of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and Export-Import Bank of Korea (KEXIM).
The updates aim to incorporate climate projections, urbanization, land use changes, and population growth trends to address emerging challenges effectively.
Once completed, these master plans will be integral to the national flood control strategy. They will underpin long-term flood risk and water resources management efforts, aligning with the government's Build Better More program to promote inclusive development and enhance disaster risk reduction.
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