JICA hands over rehabilitated flood control project to MMDA

MANILA, Philippines - The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) on Monday formally handed to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) a rehabilitated flood control and early warning project following 15 months of repair.

JICA chief representative to the Philippines Noriaki Niwa handed over the P32-million Effective Flood Control Operating System (EFCOS) project to the MMDA at the Rosario Pumping Station in Barangay Manggahan, Pasig City where it is based.

In October 2014, JICA and MMDA signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the improvement of the EFCOS, involving the restoration of the telemetry system and replacement of its radio system - two of the most vital components of the project. 

The telemetry system will be used for a more efficient flood monitoring and early warning mechanism while the radio system will help in reporting advance rainfall data.

According to the MMDA, of the P32 million spent for the repair of the EFCOS project, the Japanese government shouldered P16 million with the Philippine government paying for the remaining as counterpart fund. 

Under the MOU, JICA also provided the funding of the restoration of the telemetry equipment amounting to P74.7 million.

MMDA Chair Emerson Carlos said the EFCOS Project will contribute to the flood control and early warning capabilities of the agency during the rainy season.

Carlos added that EFCOS would benefit not only the areas of eastern Metro Manila but also the province of Rizal such as municipalities of San Mateo, and Rodriguez which were hit by massive flooding during Typhoon Ondoy.

“The EFCOS project will greatly complement our continuous efforts to minimize flooding in flood-prone areas the Pasig-Marikina-Laguna Lake complex thus saving thousands of lives during this natural calamity,” Carlos said. 

The MMDA has 18 observation stations that transmit data to the EFCOS. There are also nine flood warning posts along Manggahan Floodway which are vital in the operation of the two major flood control structures in Metro Manila – the Rosario Weir Floodgates and the Napindan Hydraulics Control Structure. 

Phase 1 of the project was completed in 1993 and was designed to be an effective flood control operation system for the Pasig-Marikina-Laguna Lake Complex through real-time rainfall and water-level data collection via various systems, including telemetry, early warning, and multiplex communication in Metro Manila. 

The project’s Phase 2 was completed in 2001, while Phase 3 was finished this year, the MMDA said.