The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is keen on adopting Japan’s modern flood-control measures to help address flooding in the country.
DPWH, in partnership with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Tourism (MLIT) of the government of Japan, recently conducted a technical cooperation forum in Manila on Japan’s modern flood-control management and water resources facilities.
Highlights of the seminar include the presentation of a comprehensive report on Japan’s historic river management, including its modern river investments from legislation, flood-control measures, and the various public and privately-owned flood storage facilities.
Based on MLIT’s presentation, Japan’s integrated river management system, including the extensive use of flood storage structures, has resulted in a drastic reduction of flooding in the country, despite the heavier rainfall over the years.
Ramon Arriola III, DPWH Unified Project Management Office (UPMO)-Flood Control Management Cluster (FCMC) director, said similar measures could be adopted in the Philippines, especially the retarding basins.
“Although the use of retarding basins for flood control is relatively new, a number of similar projects are being considered for implementation to address flooding in various areas,” said Arriola.
He emphasized the need for capacity development to modernize the flood control and water resources management system all over the country.
The DPWH UPMO-FCMC recently completed the country’s first retarding basin in Imus and Bacoor, Cavite. DPWH also completed its feasibility study on the Davao City Flood Management Master Plan which includes river basin components.
Also, the DPWH Regional Office 2 is undertaking an assessment for a similar project to address flooding in Tuguegarao City.
On the land acquisition for projects, the Japanese experts also introduced the possibility of farmers retaining ownership of their land affected by a retarding basin project — an agreement that allows landowners to utilize the land for farming during the dry season and as a flood storage facility with government compensation during the rainy season.
Other topics discussed include Japan’s dam upgrading technologies as a way to increase water reservoir, discharge capacity and sediment control; and the flood forecasting and warning system for dam operations of the National Power Corp., specifically the San Roque Dam in Pangasinan.
In addition, MLIT discussed Japan’s urban flood management, covering countermeasures against stormwater like the use of underground discharge channels, flood drainage tunnels and combination of small flood storage facilities, as well as non-structural measures like integrating disaster information, development of integrated hazard information system and provision of real-time risk information to the public.
