Government, Japan fast-track new flood control masterplans

Philippine and Japanese authorities are accelerating work on updated flood control master plans for two of Luzon’s most flood-prone river systems—Pasig-Marikina and Cagayan—as the country braces for intensifying climate threats.

The updated plans aim to mitigate the impacts of recurring typhoons and reduce the vulnerability of Metro Manila and the Cagayan Valley Region to widespread flooding. The move comes after a series of devastating storms—Ondoy, Lawin, Ulysses, and Carina—highlighted the need for more climate-resilient infrastructure.

In a meeting held August 5, officials from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) presented draft reports of the enhanced master plans. The project is part of the Japan-funded technical cooperation program launched in May 2024.

Among the proposed interventions for the Pasig-Marikina River Basin are two flow-through dams, four retarding basins in San Mateo, Rodriguez, and Quezon City, and major river improvement works. These are part of the second and third phases of an ongoing multi-phase channel improvement initiative.

Meanwhile, solutions for the flood-prone San Juan River include embankment works, dredging, and two underground systems—a retention channel and a spillway—connecting Quezon City to Manila and the Pasig River.

DPWH Senior Undersecretary Emil K. Sadain stressed the urgency of finalizing the plans, which will undergo review by the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) before pre-feasibility studies begin in 2026.

For the Cagayan River Basin, the JICA-led team proposed constructing four new flood control dams—Siffu, Malig, Ilagan, and Cagayan—along with river improvements and dredging in Magapit.

JICA Senior Representative Takanori Morishima reaffirmed Japan’s support for building climate-adaptive infrastructure in the Philippines. “We are committed to supporting resilient flood control measures that can withstand worsening weather patterns,” he said.

The updated strategies will align with the government’s “Bagong Pilipinas” vision by adopting a holistic, multi-agency approach to disaster resilience and sustainable water resource management.