TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan (PIA) — Officials from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) presented to the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) a plan to build sediment countermeasure for the Magat Dam Reservoir in Ramon, Isabela.
JICA brought in officials from the Japan Water Agency (JWA) and Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism to provide an overview of the proposed ‘Magat Dam Sedimentation Countermeasure Project’, which aims to reduce the concentration of sediments at the reservoir.
The visit was also intended to generate substantial information for the conduct of a feasibility study, which will be funded through a grant from JICA.
Suzuki Toshino, director-general for International Affairs of JWA, said that the project study will identify measures to reduce the annual sedimentation volume of the reservoir, preserve its water storage capacity, extend its service life, and mitigate the risks of natural disasters and economic losses.
Magat Dam is the water source for the irrigation of almost 85,000 hectares of farmlands in Isabela province and a source of hydroelectric power generation.
(L-R) Engr. Gileu Michael O. Dimoloy, Department Manager of MARIIS, Engr. Marlon D. Siaden, Head of Civil Works Section (CWS) and Engr. Erwin T. Remocal, Head of the Electro-Mechanical Section (EMS) assist visitors from Japan Water Agency during the site visit at Magat Dam Reservoir in Ramon, Isabela. (Photo courtesy of NIA-MARIIS).
Engr. Arlen S. Alejandro, hydrologist from the Flood Forecasting and Instrumentation Section, presented the dam discharge protocol, which outlines the guidelines and procedures governing the controlled release of water from the dam.
“By engaging in these activities, the valuable insights and data collected would greatly contribute to conducting an in-depth study and evaluation. This rigorous examination aims to identify the most optimal sediment countermeasures that are specifically tailored to effectively address the sedimentation challenges encountered by the Magat Dam,” said Engr. Gileu Michael Dimoloy, department manager of National Irrigation Administration- Magat River Integrated Irrigation System (NIA-MARIIS).
Delegates from the Japan Water Agency, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) present to NEDA Region 2 officials the concept of the “Magat Dam Sedimentation Countermeasure Project”. (Photo courtesy of NEDA-2)
The construction of the Magat Dam and adjacent structures was authorized by Presidential Decree 693 signed on May 7, 1975, by the President Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr. The dam was constructed in 1978 and inaugurated by President Marcos Sr. on October 27, 1982. It started operations in 1983.
The dam is part of the Magat River Multipurpose Project (MRMP), which aims to increase rice production in the Cagayan River basin. (OTB/MDCT/GVB/PIA Region 2)
