By Brian Campued
The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board, chaired by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., has approved the extension of the construction period and other adjustments to the Cavite Industrial Area-Flood Risk Management Project and the Pasig-Marikina River Channel Improvement Project – Phase IV.
During the NEDA Board meeting in Malacañang Tuesday, the President emphasized the need for detailed engineering that is adaptable to weather changes as well as the addition of housing to the original estimate of the Cavite flood-control project.
The project aims to mitigate flood damage in the lower reach of San Juan River Basin and its adjacent Maalimango Creek Drainage Area in Cavite province.
The Board also approved a change in the project’s scope of work, particularly the widening of diversion channels and additional drainage channels.
“The cost will be increased. At least the local component will be increased from the original. That’s the only thing that sticks out in the financial analysis. But it’s still within the guidelines,” Marcos said.
These approved changes increased the total project cost of the Cavite flood-control project to P22.03 billion from P9.8 billion.
The Board also approved the 65-month extension of the project’s implementation period starting April 2024 to September 2029.
Another adjustment was a loan reallocation totaling JPY1.042 billion from consulting services (JPY 384 billion) and contingencies.
As of Sept. 30, 2024, the project has an overall physical accomplishment of 44.21% with negative slippage of 55.79%. It has a fund utilization rate of 35.42% or P3.503 billion already disbursed.
Meanwhile, the Board also gave its nod to a 63-month extension for the implementation of the Pasig-Marikina River Channel Improvement Project—from December 2025 to March 2031—and changes in the scope of work, including the design of the Middle Marikina River improvement and modifications in drainage facilities among others.
“Ang concern ko rin is the design. Does it take into account the new weather? Because ano na ’yan, danger area na ’yang Marikina talaga. The levels of water in the last two big typhoons we had came to within half a meter of the limit bago mag spillover,” the Chief Executive said.
Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Sec. Manuel Bonoan clarified that the design of the project helped in stopping spillover during the recent typhoons.
“Hindi ho nag-spillover. The other component that we are looking into the Pasig-Marikina River is actually the construction of the three dams in the [watershed],” the DPWH secretary said.
The total project cost of the NCR flood-control project increased to P57.696 million from P33.097 million.
A loan reallocation totaling JPY3.373 billion from consulting services (JPY1.728 billion) and contingencies (JPY1.645 billion) to the civil works component was also approved by the NEDA Board, including a supplemental loan of JPY45.759 billion.
The project aims to mitigate flood damage in Metro Manila caused by channel overflow of the Pasig-Marikina River and is seen to benefit residents of Pasig, Marikina, and Quezon City as well as the municipalities of Taytay and Cainta in Rizal.
Aside from the changes in two flood-control projects, the Board also approved the implementation of the locally financed Philippine International Exhibition Center Project and the acquisition of 40 units of fast patrol crafts to be funded through Official Development Assistance.
DPWH completes P96-M river control project in Iloilo
In a news release, the DPWH reported the completion of a river control structure in Barangay Bagumbayan in Alimodian, Iloilo which will reduce the risk of flooding by diverting, storing, and releasing floodwater in a controlled manner, especially during inclement weather.
According to DPWH 6 (Western Visayas) Director Sanny Boy Oropel, the structure would protect nearby Aganan Bridge from possible damage caused by raging waters, keeping the road open to the traveling public and facilitating unhampered transportation of goods and services in the area.
By limiting the amount of water rushing downstream, sedimentation and pollution in the river would be prevented, reducing the risk of river bank erosion.
“Most communities along the Jaro-Aganan River depend on agricultural production and animal raising, hence, this flood mitigation structure will ensure the safety of their livelihood and enhance economic development in the locality,” Oropel said.
The river control project was implemented by DPWH-Iloilo’s 4th District Engineering Office.
—iro