Press Release

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) continues to support strengthening disaster resiliency in the Philippines with three ongoing projects to mitigate flooding in the country's major river basins and flood prone area.

Both Japan and the Philippines are considered disaster-prone areas due to their geographical location on the Pacific Ring of Fire. Japan's experience with natural disasters enabled it to innovate on flood protection measures, and share them with partner countries like the Philippines.

"Climate change has affected the range of natural disasters all over the world. As Philippines' partner in sustainable development, JICA will continue to share our technology and know-how to help alleviate damage of disasters to vulnerable sectors," said JICA Chief Representative AZUKIZAWA Eigo.

Together with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), JICA is implementing integrated flood measures in the Cagayan de Oro River Basin, Pasig-Laguna de Bay River Basin, and Cavite Industrial Area

Examples of Japanese technology being shared with Filipino engineers and local governments include (1) retarding basin that means storing storm water around embankment walls to prevent downstream flooding; (2) sabo engineering or debris and sediment control works in upstream areas and eroding slopes (3) river improvement and flood wall.

Flooding impacts on local communities and economies. On average, about 20 tropical cyclones enter the Philippines every year, with eight or nine making a landfall. Of these cyclones, the accompanying landslides, storm surges, and floods have been recorded to lead to huge losses to people and economy. A 2016 study pointed to close to USD 8-million economic losses or 69% of the country's social expenditure from natural disasters occurring in the Philippines (UNDRR 2019 Report).

About 345 billion yen of JICA's total ODA to the Philippines has allocated to helping the latter overcome its vulnerability through disaster risk reduction as well as agriculture, environment, and social development. Also, more than 200 Filipino professionals trained in disaster management in Japan under JICA.

JICA, the world's largest bilateral aid agency, is among the Philippines' top ODA partners.