DPWH, JICA survey proposed Marikina River flood control project area


Flood control experts from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) conducted an on-site inspection of proposed flood control infrastructures in the Middle and Upper Marikina River Basin.

In a statement, the DPWH said the construction of the Upper Marikina Dam is one of the "high-priority projects identified in the 2012 DPWH-World Bank Flood Management Master Plan of Metro Manila and Surrounding Areas."

The dam is expected to ease the peak river flows in Marikina River from entering Metro Manila during typhoons and extreme heavy rains that will ensure the ‘target safety level of the Pasig-Marikina River Basin under the masterplan will be attained.’

The feasibility study and detailed engineering design of the proposed Upper Marikina Dam were concluded in Nov. 2017 that determined the optimum location of the proposed dam, including the type and appurtenant structures, in the Upper Marikina Watershed in Rodriguez, Rizal.

However, a water supply dam called Upper Wawa Bulk Water Supply Dam under Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) is now being constructed in the almost same location.

DPWH Secretary Manuel M. Bonoan requested JICA ‘for a selection of a new wholistic flood control measures along Marikina River Basin that will attain 100 year return period flood safety level.’

DPWH Senior Undersecretary Emil K. Sadain said among the new proposed projects along Marikina River Basin by the Japanese experts include the construction of a dedicated flood control dam with a height of 40 meter in the Montalban gorge with target flood water holding capacity of 35 to 40 million cubic meter.

Other proposed flood mitigation projects are the San Mateo Flood Retarding Basin with 143 hectares area and detention capacity of 20 million cubic meter; raising of parapet wall (1.0 meter high) and dredging of Manggahan Floodway (1.5 meter deep); Paranaque Spillway Project as discharge outlet of Laguna Lake into Manila Bay to address threats of inundation in lakeshore cities along Laguna de Bay; and the on-going Pasig Marikina River Channel Improvement Project, Phase IV.

These projects that will mitigate and ease the flooding problems in Metro Manila and surrounding areas will be further studied and put on the negotiating table for further discussion.

Unified Project Management Office-Flood Control Management Cluster (UPMO-FCMC) Project Director Ramon A. Arriola III together with Project Managers Jerry Fano and Grecile Christopler Damo accompanied the JICA (Tokyo) Mission Team in a site walkthrough of the proposed flood control measures in the Marikina River.

Takeya Kimio, Technical Advisor on Disaster Risk Reduction; Director Minamitani Taichi and Deputy Director Sakai Kenta of the Disaster Risk Reduction Team 1 - Disaster Risk Reduction Group, Global Environment Department; and Ms. Kojima Saori, Officer, Disaster Risk Reduction Team 1 - Disaster Risk Reduction Group, Global Environment Department are the members of the JICA Mission Team. (Chito A. Chavez)