The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is optimistic that the construction of retarding basins will make flood hazard areas in Cavite more resilient during the rainy season and swift changes of global weather.
DPWH Secretary Mark Villar expressed confidence that the Flood Risk Management Project for Imus River is the most viable solution to mitigate damage on areas vulnerable to flooding in Imus and Bacoor, Cavite.
“We have high hopes that this project will reduce flood risk to local homes and businesses,” Villar said.
“The construction of two reservoir projects will reduce the flood peak discharges to low-lying parts of Imus and Bacoor Rivers.”
According to DPWH Undersecretary for Unified Project Management Office (UPMO) Operations Emil Sadain, the construction of two reservoir projects will reduce the flood peak discharges to low-lying part of Imus and Bacoor Rivers by temporarily managing flood run-off or stormwater in the off-site retarding basins.
The two reservoir projects, namely Imus and Bacoor Retarding Basins, are located in Brgy. Anabu and Brgy. Buhay na Tubig, Imus City, Cavite respectively.
“The construction of Imus Retarding Basin has a detention pond area of about 35 hectares while Bacoor Retarding Basin has two temporary storage pond or basin connected by sluiceway for a total area of 9 hectares to contain floodwaters during a storm event and reduce the peak volume of flood flow at Imus River and Bacoor River,” Sadain added.
Retarding basins are being constructed to temporarily store most, if not all, of the rainwater run-off during very high rainfall, to absorb and contain flooding in periods of high rain and later release at regulated flow rate.
The project is based on a flood management master plan for Imus River prepared by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
The project is based on a flood management master plan for Imus River prepared by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
The on-going structural measure is also being funded by JICA under its Official Development Assistance (ODA) facility and implemented by DPWH-UPMO Flood Control Management Cluster (FCMC) headed by Project Director Ramon Ariola III.
Sadain, together with UPMO FCMC Project Managers Aurelio Mendoza and Rogelio Ang, recently checked the progress of work.
Workers have put up pre-cast concrete blocks revetment wall at surrounding dike, overflow dike, drainage sluice, maintenance road, slope protection, and other project components.
To date, the P2.2 Billion project has physical accomplishment of about 85 percent, and is slated to be completed by the fourth quarter of 2021.
