In support of the local government’s efforts to mitigate flood hazards and reduce the loss of lives and properties, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) and Cagayan de Oro (CDO) City inaugurated the CDO Flood Forecasting Warning System (FFWS) on April 4, 2025.
The CDO river basin is one of the largest in the Philippines, supporting the livelihood of nearby communities. It was chosen for the project due to its susceptibility to floods during the northeast monsoon season, affecting residents in low-lying and flood-prone areas. According to a report by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), 61 of the city’s 80 villages are vulnerable to flood hazards.
The project, which started in June 2018, came timely as CDO had recently experienced the damaging effects of Typhoon Vinta the year prior and of Typhoon Sendong in 2011. These typhoons highlighted the need for a more accurate, fast, and reliable system to predict rainfall volume and water levels and flow to anticipate flood events. This development is particularly relevant as climate change is increasingly altering weather patterns, making it more challenging to assess climatological conditions using previous equipment and methodology.
To enhance the flood forecasting and warning capabilities of PAGASA and the CDO local government units (LGU), JICA funded the construction of seven water level gauges stations, six ground rainfall gauges equipment in strategically located sites along the river basin in CDO and Bukidnon, as well as two X-Band radars at the PAGASA Central Office and its Mindanao regional office.
JICA also established a backbone telecommunication network connecting PAGASA’s monitoring stations in Misamis Oriental and Quezon City. With these telemetered facilities equipped with high-accuracy and high-sensitivity devices, the CDO LGU can easily measure and transmit critical data wirelessly for effective analysis and monitoring, which will serve as the basis for its disaster and risk reduction management (DRRM) strategies.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Department of Science and Technology Secretary Renato Solidum, PAGASA Administrator Nathaniel Servando, Ambassador ENDO Kazuya and JICA Philippines Senior Representative MORISHIMA Takanori.
JICA Chief Representative Baba said in his message, as read by Senior Representative Morishima, “This is a major milestone in the relationship between the Philippines and Japan towards a more equitable and resilient society for all, and I hope it serves as a testament to the trust JICA has continuously developed with the Philippines as friends that share the same challenges of disaster risks.”
