DPWH, Jica to study rivers for masterplan
The Department of Public Works and Highways-11 (DPWH 11) and Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica) will conduct a Davao River Masterplan study to determine the measures and needed projects that will lessen the damages caused by flooding due to increased water level of the river during the rainy season.
DPWH 11 Spokesperson Dean I. Ortiz, in an in- terview, said the planned study was announced by Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio during her State of the City Address (Soca) on Tuesday, September 12, identifying the critical zone areas of flooding in the city.
Ortiz said the coverage of the study will be on the water level status of Davao River on different weather conditions as well as the existing flood control structures around it. It will also include the Matina Pangi River and Talomo River as both also have increase in water level during heavy rain pour.
"The city already has flood control structures built by the local government unit and other national government agencies but it still does not cover the whole length of the river and some were not maintained," he said.
Also, Ortiz said the Jica and DPWH 11 will also look into the existing drainage sytem in the city in coordination with the Davao City Engineer's Office (CEO).
"We have to study and trace down all the rivers and the drainage of our city so that we can see what really is the problem and how we can solve it," he said.
The study will start between the first and second quarter of next year and its study duration will run to six months to one year.
Ortiz added that the projects crafter from the results from the study will start its construction by 2019 and will still be funded by Jica.
The city, he said, can expect that series of projects to be done after the study to control the flooding cases and improve the drainage system in our city to protect the affected communities around the rivers.