Jica flood control study starts this year

THE Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica) targets to start study of disaster management and flood control projects in Davao City within the year, a Jica official said.

According to Jica project team leader Ken Kumazawa, the study may cover Davao river flood control including river banks. The study will be conducted for potential near future funding of specific projects.

“The National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) Central Office expects Jica to do more projects that we are discussing for the future necessary big projects. We have not committed yet, just discussed,” said Kumazawa.

According to Davao City Infrastructure and Development Plan and Capacity Building Project (IDPCBP) Socio-economic Framework specialist Lynn Sison, this future study of disaster management and flood control project is included in Jica’s goal of integrating infrastructure projects of Davao Region and Davao City.

She said it is one of the 21 projects presented by the local government unit (LGU) of Davao City to Jica for study and recommendation.

Sison said Jica’s role is to filter and screen all infrastructure projects be it initiated by the private sector or the government.

By October of this year, an interim report will be submitted by (IDPCBP) to its counterpart and stakeholders for discussion.

“We have to state the condition of Davao City, the development direction. We have priority projects. These are projects that already are on the ground, either they have been committed, funded, or studies are ongoing. There are other studies that we need to sort out and formulate a program. By infrastructure, we’re not only talking about one sector but it includes transportation, water supply, solid waste, and drainage,” Sison said.