To help address the problems of recurring water hazards due to inclement weather conditions, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has granted almost P78 million budget for the establishment of a water infrastructure in Cagayan Valley.
The said funding will be used for the SMART Water Infrastructure and Management (SWIM) under the Niche Centers for R&D (NICER) Program of the DOST.
DOST, in a statement on Wednesday, June 9, said that the SWIM R&D is a project under NICER which aims to “introduce innovative water management approaches by 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.”
Meanwhile, DOST Secretary Fortunato T. de la Peña expressed his gratitude to Isabela State University (ISU) for coming up with a “relevant and timely” research to help the region solve its problems in water infrastructure and management.
De la Peña also expressed his full support for the project noting the effect of heavy flooding that was experienced by the region during the onslaught of Typhoon Ulysses in November last year - as well as the threats to water availability.
DOST said that the center will be reinforcing the region in addressing the problems of recurring water hazards due to inclement weather conditions that bring subsequent damages to agricultural properties.
In approaching these kinds of water hazards, DOST said that the center will primarily undertake four complementary R&D projects which include (1) Smart Water Resources Planning and Development of Water Resources Projects and Interventions; (2) Integrated Assessment and Analysis of Hydraulic Assets for Sustainable and Resilient Flood Control Infrastructures; (3) GIS-Based Decision Support Tool in Managing, Monitoring and Applying Intervention of Water Infrastructure for Smart Cities: Case for Cauayan City; and (4) Smart Water Control Infrastructures for Effective Irrigation Management.
DOST said that the programs will run for three years. It will be will be implemented in the Cagayan Valley region with ISU at the lead proponent along the State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) in the region, partner government agencies, and local government units.
Meanwhile, DOST-II Regional Director Engr. Sancho A. Mabborang also expressed his full support for the project by assuring that ISU will receive appropriate funding and assistance.
With its mandate to provide scientific solutions to pressing problems, DOST assured that it will continue to provide “central direction, leadership and coordination of scientific and technological efforts in building smarter and resilient communities” in the country.