DPWH Secretary Mark Villar, Cavite Governor Jonvic Remulla and Imus Congressman AA Advincula inspect the 9-hectare retarding basin in Buhay na Tubig, Imus City Thursday. Photo by DENNIS ABRINA
DPWH inaugurates 2 Cavite floodwater reservoirs
IMUS CITY, Cavite – Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary (DPWH) Mark A. Villar on Thursday led the inauguration of Cavite’s two floodwater reservoir projects in Bgy. Buhay na Tubig.
Villar was joined by Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Kazuhiko Koshikawa; DPWH Undersecretary for Unified Project Management Office (UPMO) Operations Emil K. Sadain; Cavite Provincial Governor Juanito Victor “Jonvic” Remulla Jr.; Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Chief Representative Eigo Azukizawa; Cavite 2nd District Rep. Edwin “Strike” Revilla; and Cavite 3rd District Rep. Alex “AA” Advincula.
The event was also attended by DPWH UPMO Flood Control Management Cluster (FCMC) Project Director Ramon A. Ariola III; UPMO Project Directors Benjamin A. Bautista and Rodrigo I. Delos Reyes; and Project Manager Aurelio C. Mendoza.
Villar said the Imus and Bacoor retarding basins implemented by DPWH UPMO-FCMC are expected to help manage or mitigate the challenges of the rainy season for Imus and Bacoor which are highly susceptible to rain-induced flash flooding.
The project will help address flooding woes in low-lying areas affected by the confluence of Imus River and Bacoor River, he added.
“Then kapag tag-araw or summer season, magagamit po ito as open area for sports like football, softball, baseball and open park for jogging and some outdoor exercises.” Villar said.
According to Sadain, the design of the two retarding basins is based on a comprehensive flood management master plan prepared by JICA.
These constructed retarding basins will temporarily store most, if not all, of the rainwater run-off during very high rainfall to reduce the peak volume of flood flow and later release at regulated rate, he added.
The reservoirs that will also reduce the floodwater going downstream were built under financing of JICA’s Official Development Assistance.
When water level increases during flooding, the floodwater overflows into the retarding basins and will be discharged once the water level in Imus and Bacoor rivers subside, or at normal rate.
The Imus retarding basin at Bgy. Anabu has a water detention area of about 35 hectares with 2 meters by 2 meters one barrel drainage sluice and 84 meters overflow dike.
Bacoor’s retarding basin located in Bgy. Buhay na Tubig has two basins connected by a 2.7 meters by 2.7 meters one barrel sluiceway for a total pond area of 9 hectares with overflow dike of 42 meters and 1 meter by 1 meter one barrel drainage sluice.
