A newsletter of the MindaNOW! Nurturing Our Waters Program October 2013 Davao City, Philippines Volume 1 Issue 2
Flood control projects get funding commitment The Aquino administration is set to implement soon multi-billion flood control projects that will address the recurring flooding of some areas in Maguindanao, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, and Cotabato City caused by the swelling of the Mindanao River Basin (MRB). In a meeting held in Davao city recently, President Benigno Aquino mandated the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) to pursue immediate and long-term projects for the rehabilitation and development of the MRB. In a response of the President’s directive, DPWH committed to include the MRB flood control projects in tis budget allocation for 2014. With an area of 21,502 square kilometers, the MRB is the second largest river basin in the Philippines that
FLOOD CONTROL Mindanao Development Authority Chair Luwalhati Antonino (center), briefs President Benigno Aquino III on the immediate and long-term projects for the rehabilitation and development of the Mindanao River Basin at a special meeting held in Davao City recently. Also in photo is Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson (far left).
is beset by perennial flooding especially during rainy season. DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson said that efforts to implement dredging,
construction of dikes, and widening of cut-off channels in identified areas of MRB are being fast-tracked. “The projects must be implemented the soonest to
mitigate recurring flooding that has been displacing thousands of residents and damaging livelihood and properties in the area Flood control / page 7
OCD mulls creating emergency response mechanism in MRB
EMERGENCY RESPONSE Mindanao Development Authority Executive Director Janet Lopoz (far right) discusses with Office of Civil Defense (OCD)-Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Regional Director BGen. Ramon Santos (far left ) and OCD Region 12 Officer-In-Charge Regional Director Jerome Barranco the joint Mindanao emergency response mechanism that will be piloted in the Mindanao River Basin.
The Office of Civil Defense in Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (OCDARMM) is recommending for an emergency reponse mechanism in the areas frequently affected by flooding in the Mindanao River Basin (MRB). Brigadier General Ramon G. Santos (retired) of OCD-ARMM, presented the proposed emergency response mechanism during the coordination meeting
OCD mulls / page 7