A P22-billion industrial area flood risk management project is scheduled for completion by 2029 in Cavite, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) reported yesterday.
DPWH Senior Undersecretary Emil Sadain inspected the project this week, and pronounced that the project’s contract package (CP)-1 which covers the 2.6-kilometer San Juan duled Diversion Drainage I, and the 370-meter Lower Maalimango Diversion II, has reached 27 percent completion.
The San Juan Diversion Channel, designed to divert floodwaters from the San Juan River and its tributaries, is expected to protect thousands of residents and businesses in low-lying areas from recurring inundation.
Progress on other major components includes: the 3.6-kilometer Rio Grande River Improvement, which is 23 percent completed; the 2.6-kilometer Ylang-Ylang River Improvement, now 34 percent completed; and the 1.1-kilometer Maalimango Creek Improvement along with the 1.9-kilometer Upper Maalimango Diversion Drainage II, which are 55 percent completed.
The project is supported by a comprehensive resettlement and housing program under CP-5, now 95.81 percent completed to ensure that project affected families are relocated to safe, communities.
A land area of 8.80 hectares in Barangays San Rafael II and III is being developed for resettlement area with 887 housing units, each with a lot area of 40 square meters, including roads and alleys, open space, drainage system, and provision of water supply system thru Maynilad water concessionaire. The project is backed by the Noveleta Local Government Unit (LGU).
With a total project cost of about P22 billion, the Cavite Industrial Area Flood Risk Management Project is funded under the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) loan agreement.
Sadain, who oversees infrastructure flagship projects financed through Official Development Assistance (ODA), explained that countries like Japan have long utilized water basins to manage stormwater during extreme rainfall events—absorbing excess water, and gradually releasing it at a controlled rate.
This proven approach is now being effectively localized in the Philippines with the continued support of JICA, said Senior Undersecretary Sadain.
