The Philippine government and Japan intend to address the nationwide problem of flooding in urban areas around the Southeast Asian country by putting in place various flood control projects, the government public works department said.
Different agencies from both countries are also planning to alleviate traffic congestion in Metro Manila, it said.
In a statement over the weekend, Public Works Senior Undersecretary Emil Sadain said Japan and the Philippines seek to achieve resilient and sustainable disaster risk management operations in the National Capital Region, especially in flood-prone cities such as Marikina, Pasig, San Juan, Parañaque and Taguig.
Last week, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, conducted the 5th Seminar on Disaster Management Operations, Urban Flood Control and Dam Development to enhance flood control and water resources management in flood-prone areas across the country.
“Our longstanding partnership and collaboration with Japan remains instrumental and pivotal to the government’s efforts in strengthening our flood control and integrated water resources system management, which are key players in improving the urban planning in Metro Manila,” Sadain said.
The DPWH and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) are now trying to fast track the Metro Manila Flood Management Project Phase 1, which aims to improve drainage systems and solid waste management practices that will supposedly benefit about 2 million residents in priority areas in Metro Manila by 2026.
In a related development, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) said it and MMDA will sign on February 21 the Record of Discussions on a new three-year technical cooperation project.
The project aims to improve road traffic conditions in Metro Manila by strengthening MMDA’s capacity plan and develop intelligent transportation systems, while offering technical support in buying equipment procurement and establishing a traffic data management system, JICA’s official invitation said.
This is part of JICA’s official development assistance strategy to enhance the Philippines’ transportation system through infrastructure development and capacity-building initiatives, it added.
