First in PH: Key Japan-designed retarding basins in Cavite now done


Flooding woes in some parts of Cavite are expected to be addressed now that the two flood water reservoir projects in the province are completed.

CAVITE BASINS-- The key retarding basins that are expected to end the flooding woes in the province of Cavite were inaugurated Thursday, Sept. 23, 2021 by the Department of Public Works and Highways. (Ali Vicoy)

The two reservoir projects namely Imus and Bacoor retarding basins were inaugurated Thursday, Sept. 23 by Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar and Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Kazuhiko Koshikawa.

"First of its kind po itong proyekto sa Pilipinas. Ang concept po nito, pag umuulan, papasok ang tubig dito so hindi na babaha, hindi na mag-o-overflow yung ilog at pag nag-stop na yung ulan, ilalabas dahan dahan na yung tubig (This project is the first of its kind in the Philippines. The concept of this project is to store floodwaters during rainfall and release it gradually when the downpour stops)," Villar said.

When water level increases during flooding, the floodwater overflows into the retarding basins and will be discharged once the water level in Imus and Bacoor River subsides or at normal rate.

The Imus retarding basin has a detention pond area of about 35 hectares while Bacoor retarding basin has two temporary storage pond or basin connected by sluiceway for a total area of 9 hectares to contain floodwaters during a storm and reduce the peak volume of flood flow in Imus River and Bacoor River.

The design of two retarding basins are based on a comprehensive flood management master plan prepared by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

According to Villar, flooding in the province of Cavite will be reduced by 30 percent.

The retarding basins also double as recreational area during the dry season.

"Ang kagandahan po ng proyektong ito ay magagamit yung basin pag hindi rainy season as an open area. So ang plano po eventually, pwedeng gawing soccer field, pwedeng gawing baseball field, pwedeng gawing open area para sa exercise at magiging open park (What's good about this project is it can still be used as an open area when it's not rainy season. The plan is to eventually use it as soccer field, baseball field, or open area for exercise and open park)," Villar said.

"So, magkakaroon tayo ng flood-control structure at magkakaroon din tayo ng open park (So, we have a flood-control structure at the same time, we also have an open park)," he added.