photo: DPWH
Officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and their counterparts in Japan have reinforced efforts to enhance flood control and water resources management in disaster-prone areas across the country.
DPWH Senior Undersecretary Emil K. Sadain, Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) Assistant Vice Minister Ishikawa Shin, and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Philippines Office Senior Representative Yanagiuchi Masanari led the 5th Seminar on Disaster Management Operations, Urban Flood Control, and Dam Development on Feb. 13 in Intramuros, Manila.
The seminar underscored the urgency of adopting integrated, technology-driven solutions to address flooding, particularly in Metro Manila and other high-risk areas.
Organized by the DPWH Unified Project Management Office - Flood Control Management Cluster (UPMO-FCMC), the forum focused on leveraging Japan’s advanced engineering expertise to strengthen disaster resilience.
Sadain highlighted Japan’s critical role in developing long-term, sustainable flood mitigation measures for vulnerable areas such as Marikina, Pasig, San Juan, Parañaque, and Taguig.
He added that the collaboration supports the government’s broader disaster risk reduction initiatives amid escalating climate-related challenges.
DPWH, in coordination with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), is expediting the completion of the Metro Manila Flood Management Project (MMFMP) Phase 1, which aims to improve drainage systems and solid waste management, benefiting around two million residents in flood-prone communities.
In response to the impact of recent typhoons Carina and Kristine, DPWH and JICA are fast-tracking updates to master plans for major river basins, including the Pasig-Marikina and Cagayan River Basins, to reinforce flood defenses and improve early warning systems.
The seminar also tackled flood risk assessments, infrastructure advancements, and climate adaptation strategies, with experts from MLIT, MMDA, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), and the Japan Water Agency sharing insights on global best practices.
Also present were officials from DPWH regional offices, national agencies, and local government units across Metro Manila.