MANILA, Philippines — The Japanese government has finished a P2.2 billion retarding basin in Cavite which is expected to solve the flooding problems in the province.
Funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Japan’s bilateral aid agency, the Imus Retarding Basin has been inaugurated to make flood-prone areas in Cavite more resilient during rainy season.
The Imus Retarding Basin includes an 84-meter overflow dike, standing an average of three meters in height with 1.3 kilometer of surrounding dike and 1.1 kilometer of separating dike.
The Department of Public Works and Highways has excavated around two million cubic meters of soil to unearth seven meters in depth in the 35-hectare land area for the retarding basin.
Retarding basins are 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 a regulated flow rate.
Based on a flood management master plan for Imus River prepared by JICA, the project also includes another retarding basin in Bacoor which will be completed before the year ends.
Japanese Ambassador Kazuhiko Koshikawa said the proper operation and maintenance of the first retarding basin would show the full capability of the project in the long run.
He also said the project would ensure every resident in Cavite would feel safer and more protected from typhoons and flooding.
Designed to mitigate flood damage in low-lying areas, the project is part of the Flood Risk Management Project for Imus River financed through official development assistance from Japan.
Other JICA-funded flood mitigation projects that have been completed include the Cagayan River Basin in North Luzon and Tagoloan River Basin in Misamis Oriental, in support of the Philippines’ disaster preparedness initiatives.