A P146-million water research center is expected to be established in Cagayan Valley to undertake research and development (R&D) education and capacity building programs in the water resources sector in the region, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) disclosed over the weekend.
DOST Secretary Fortunato “Boy” T. de la Peña said the agency has allocated P77.2 million for the establishment of the Smart Water Infrastructure and Management (SWIM) R&D Center at Isabela State University (ISU).
“The total project of SWIM is P146 million, P77.2 million will come from DOST,” he said in a Viber message.
He said some P69 million will be provided by the local government units (LGUs), Office of Civil Defense (OCD), National Irrigation Administration (NIA), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and state universities and colleges (SUCs).
"The DOST approved the establishment of the SWIM as its Niche Centers for R&D (NICER) Program of DOST for the people of Cagayan Valley,” the DOST chief said during his weekly report on Friday, June 4.
He said the ISU will implement the SWIM R&D project. "It aims to introduce innovative water management approaches through institutionalizing a university-based water research center to undertake R&D education, capacity building programs in the water resources sector and river basins, and provide technical extension services."
De la Peña said the SWIM R&D Center is expected to undertake four complementary R&D projects to address water hazards, such as flood and sedimentation.
These are Smart Water Resources Planning and Development of Water Resources Projects and Interventions;Integrated Assessment and Analysis of Hydraulic Assets for Sustainable and Resilient Flood Control Infrastructures; GIS-Based Decision Support Tool in Managing, Monitoring and Applying Intervention of Water Infrastructure for Smart Cities: Case for Cauayan City; and Smart Water Control Infrastructures for Effective Irrigation Management.