The Philippine government, through the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), has strengthened its collaboration with Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism (MLIT) to enhance flood control and water resources management efforts in flood-prone areas.

A fifth Seminar on Disaster Management Operations, Urban Flood Control and Dam Development held on February 13 in Intramuros.

DPWH Senior Undersecretary Emil Sadain together with MLIT Assistant Vice Minister Ishikawa Shin, Embassy of Japan Minister for Economic Affairs Nihei Daisuke, and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Philippines Office Senior Representative Yanagiuchi Masanari spearheaded the seminar aimed to push forward integrated flood control solutions and Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) through Japan’s technology and engineering expertise.

Organized by the DPWH Unified Project Management Office - Flood Control Management Cluster headed by Project Director Ramon Arriola III, the forum sought to to enhance cooperation among key national agencies, focusing on vulnerable areas like Metro Manila, and strengthening disaster management capabilities.

Sadain emphasized the importance of the seminar in fostering collaboration, enhancing technical knowledge and expertise fundamental to achieving resilient and sustainable disaster risk management operations especially in the National Capital Region, including areas like Marikina, Pasig, San Juan, Paranaque, and Taguig.

DPWH, with the Metropolitan Development Authority (MMDA), is expediting the completion of the Metro Manila Flood Management Project Phase 1, which aims to improve drainage systems and solid waste management practices, benefiting approximately two-million beneficiaries in priority flood-prone areas in Metro Manila in 2026.

The forum also explored the status of flood risk information in the Philippines, demonstrating the shared efforts of relevant agencies to develop comprehensive and informed disaster risk reduction planning despite prevalent challenges, primarily the worsening impact of climate change in the country.

In response to the devastation caused by recent typhoons, including Typhoons Carina and Kristine, which severely affected parts of Luzon, the DPWH, in cooperation with JICA, is fast-tracking updates to the master plans for key river basins. These include the Pasig-Marikina River Basin and the Cagayan River Basin. DMS