CDO, DPWH to ink MOA for flood risk mgmt

THE city government of Cagayan de Oro is set to enter into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to strengthen disaster resilience in communities along the Cagayan de Oro River.

This, after the 20th City Council, during the 91st regular session presided over by Vice Mayor Bebot Rodriguez, enacted an ordinance that will allow both parties in the operation and maintenance of the Flood Risk Management Project for Cagayan de Oro River (FRIMP-CDOR), a project financed through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) loan PH-P259.

The FRIMP-CDOR includes the construction of a dike system, cross-drains, and the extension of existing bridge along a 12-kilometer stretch of the river to protect communities from hydrometeorological hazards and mitigate flood risks along the Cagayan de Oro River.

It may be recalled that the Cagayan de Oro River Basin was selected as one of the 56 priority river basins in the 2006-2008 study on nationwide risk evaluation and flood damage mitigation plan.

The need for urgent flood risk management measures became even more apparent after Tropical Storm Sendong brought serious damages to Northern Mindanao, specifically to Cagayan de Oro, in December 2011 – about 1,170 thousand houses affected and 1,250 persons lost.

Because of this, the DPWH and the Philippine government reviewed and updated the June 2011 management plan and feasibility study due to tremendous changes in natural and social conditions.

Scope of responsibility

Under the MOA, the DPWH, represented by Undersecretary Emil K. Sadain, will provide as-built plan and technical assistance for the repair and maintenance of the project facilities and structures, including the dike, floodwall, and sluice gates.

The agency will also be responsible for the provision of regular reports on the status of lots affected by the project as well as the payment and acquisition of the lots within the areas considered to be within the easements of the project.

For its part, the city government of Cagayan de Oro, represented by Mayor Rolando a. Uy, will allocate funds to support regular and periodic road maintenance and effective operation of flood control system in coordination with the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMMO) and concerned barangays.

To maintain the integrity and sustainability of the project, the city will also implement ordinary maintenance works such as clearing debris, controlling vegetation, and repairing minor damages and provide early warning and regulation of river area during highwater.