Project News

Before the start of the pilot project in Digmala River, Bongabon, Nueva Ecija Province, which will be implemented by the “Project for Strengthening the Flood Management Function of DPWH”, the 1st Stakeholder Meeting was held on 28th of August,
2008 at the Municipal Hall of Bongabon. About three hundred (300) attendees including the Mayor, Vice-Mayor, Municipal Engineers,
District Engineers of DPWH RegionⅢand local residents attended the meeting. On behalf of FCSEC, Dr. S. Nakamura took part in the meeting together with six counterparts(C/Ps) of the project.
In the opening program messages, Mr. Gil I. Iturralde, C/P Engineer explained the background of JICA Technical Cooperation Project, Project Activities / Outputs, Main
Objective of pilot project implementation and the criteria for selection of Project Sites.

Ms. Amelia Gamilla, Municipal Mayor, Municipality of Bongabon, delivered the appreciation for the support of JICA, and to the presence of guests and participants. Furthermore, in the overview of flood control pilot project in Digmala River, Mr.Alexander Borja, C/P Engineer explained Master Plan,
Implementation Plan and Design of Countermeasures (Revetment (Revetment + Spur Dike).
In the open forum, the following issues and concerns were raised and discussed animatedly :　
・ To make the structure strong/durable
・ To include in the plan/design the regulation of irrigation water in take
・ Specific location of the structure for the pilot project
・ From where to where is the project limit
・ Observation that the tip of existing spur dike had incurred damage
・ Request of hiring local labor
In concluding message, Dr. S. Nakamura, JICA Chief Advisor of the FCSEC project, gave appreciation and thanks for the presence of guests. He emphasized two main points; (1) to make the Master Plan based on the manuals, and (2) to implement the project based on the master plan.
Also, Mr. Ulysses Liado, engineer of Nueva Ecija 2nd DEO, said that he is hoping the continuity of flood control protection works for the Digmala River, even beyond the Pilot Project to be implemented under the JICA-assisted technical cooperation period.