Cagayan de Oro, Philippines – Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) continues to push through flood control projects in Region X. The 8.55B-worth project will be moving soon for implementation to diminish flood risk in Cagayan de Oro River Basin. In recent years, flashflood has affected Kagay-anons brought by upstream rains. It destroyed properties and agricultural areas, as well as public infrastructures. The construction of the flood protection reduces (if possible, prevent) damages from recurring flash floods. Through the funding assistance of the Government of Japan, the Flood Risk Management Project of Cagayan de Oro River highlights an innovative technology that would protect an area of about 290 hectares and 18,100 structures. This project sets for completion by 2023.

The project involves the construction of 11,928 meters earth dike, 3,259 meters concrete flood wall including 1,449 meters reinforced concrete/masonry slope protection, 2,756 meters of new road and raising of existing road for evacuation, installation of three (3) steel slide gates and 19 flap gates, improvement of Kagayan River, and construction of retarding basin, concrete box/pipe culverts and headwall and drainage outlets.

On July 9, the inauguration ceremony for the 778M Tagoloan River Basin Flood Control Project took place led by Japanese Ambassador Koji Haneda, DPWH Secretary Mark A. Villar, JICA Philippines Chief Representative Yoshio Wada, DPWH Undersecretary Sadain, Misamis Oriental Governor Yevgeny Vincente B. Emano, and other officials.  

  —(Source: DPWH)