Officials and stakeholders gathered at Mango Suites, Cauayan City for a consultation meeting led by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to present the updated Flood Control Master Plan for the Cagayan River Basin.
Covering 27,281 square kilometers, the Cagayan River Basin is the country’s largest and most flood-prone, spanning the provinces of Isabela, Cagayan, Quirino, and Nueva Vizcaya.
“The project aims to reduce flood risks by updating the existing master plan, conducting feasibility studies, and strengthening coordination among involved agencies.”
DPWH Team Leader Joseph Samonte said the project aims to reduce flood risks by updating the existing master plan, conducting feasibility studies, and strengthening coordination among involved agencies.
The JICA team, headed by Engr. Takahiro Mishina, presented key proposals, including the construction of five new flood control dams and revised operating protocols for the Magat Dam. Other measures include riverbank protection, sediment control in tributaries, and better planning for extreme flood events.
An open forum followed the presentation, allowing local officials, engineers, and agencies to share feedback and ensure the plan is aligned with community needs.
During the discussion, Isabela Governor Rodito Albano III stressed the need to monitor monsoon rains—not just typhoons.
“What we need is really the data on how much rainfall is coming into the Cagayan Valley—even without typhoons,” Albano said, citing the importance of tracking rainfall over the Sierra Madre, Caraballo, and Cordillera mountain ranges.
“The plan includes provisions for new weather monitoring stations and closer coordination with PAGASA to improve early warning systems from upstream to downstream areas.”
JICA acknowledged this concern and said the plan includes provisions for new weather monitoring stations and closer coordination with PAGASA to improve early warning systems from upstream to downstream areas.
Albano also proposed more localized studies and exploring funding mechanisms to fast-track flood mitigation projects, especially in high-risk areas like Tuguegarao.
JICA confirmed that the master plan serves as a strategic guide for national and local agencies to pursue Official Development Assistance (ODA) and other funding to implement its priority components.
Feedback from the forum will help finalize the master plan, which will guide future infrastructure investments and strengthen disaster preparedness across the Cagayan River Basin.
