Las Piñas city fixes flooding and environment woes by Japanese innovative river dredging technology

The local government of Las Piñas welcomed the pilot run of an innovative Japanese river dredging technology under its cooperation with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

The technology is part of government efforts in Metro Manila to mitigate floods and environment problems by cleaning rivers and creeks (esteros).

Japanese company Kochi Marutaka Corporation introduced said advanced technology which can easily be disassembled and carried to rivers and construction sites. Its function to dredge and remove debris, silt and waste in small rivers and drainage channels has positive impact in addressing flooding and environment issues.

The company held a wrap-up seminar on August 17th with JICA, DPWH, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and various local government units (LGUs). Also present at the ceremony were Senator Cynthia Villar, Congresswoman Camille Villar and Embassy of Japan in the Philippines Secretary KINOSHITA Akito. Japanese experts also presented Japan’s river administration system and other experiences such as flood control.

JICA Chief Representative SAKAMOTO Takema stated, “Today’s activity is a great opportunity to reflect on the hard lessons of past flood disasters and environmental degradation in the Philippines brought about by poor waste management. It would certainly be good for many people to know at the local government level that there’s a promising solution for the betterment of quality of lives.”

In the Philippines, a normal backhoe is used on a barge to clean canals but this is often unstable on water and difficult to bring it to small rivers and creeks. Thus, the Japanese technology from Kochi Marutaka resolves this problem since it can run both on land and water.

Said project is part of JICA Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Business Supporting Survey where the private sector is being tapped to contribute to various development challenges using Japanese unique technologies, innovation, and ideas. To date, JICA implements more than 20 ongoing projects under this scheme all over the Philippines.

JICA actively supports LGUs in many aspects of development. For example, in Las Piñas City alone, the Japanese aid agency has also supported eco-friendly solutions to traffic and congestion by building railways such as Light Rail Transit Lines 1 and 2 Extension.