First in PH: Key Japan-designed retarding basins in Cavite now done

September 25 ------ Flooding woes in some parts of Cavite are expected to be addressed now that the two flood water reservoir projects in the province are completed. The two reservoir projects namely Imus and Bacoor retarding basins were inaugurated Thursday, Sept. 23 by Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar and Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Kazuhiko Koshikawa.

“First of its kind po itong proyekto sa Pilipinas. Ang concept po nito, pag umuulan, papasok ang tubig dito so hindi na babaha, hindi na mag-o-overflow yung ilog at pag nag-stop na yung ulan, ilalabas dahan dahan na yung tubig,” Villar said. When water level increases during flooding, the floodwater overflows into the retarding basins and will be discharged once the water level in Imus and Bacoor River subsides or at normal rate.

The Imus retarding basin has a detention pond area of about 35 hectares while Bacoor retarding basin has two temporary storage pond or basin connected by sluiceway for a total area of 9 hectares to contain floodwaters during a storm and reduce the peak volume of flood flow in Imus River and Bacoor River. The design of two retarding basins are based on a comprehensive flood management master plan prepared by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). According to Villar, flooding in the province of Cavite will be reduced by 30 percent.

The retarding basins also double as recreational area during the dry season. “Ang kagandahan po ng proyektong ito ay magagamit yung basin pag hindi rainy season as an open area. So ang plano po eventually, pwedeng gawing soccer field, pwedeng gawing baseball field, pwedeng gawing open area para sa exercise at magiging open park,” Villar said. “So, magkakaroon tayo ng flood-control structure at magkakaroon din tayo ng open park,” he added.

Source: mb.com.ph