ADDRESSING THE MINDANAO FLOODS. Mindanao River Basin Management Council Chairman Orlando B. Cardinal Quevedo, OMI (center), MinDA Chair Emmanuel F. Piñol (right), and North Cotabato Governor Nancy A. Catamco (left) lead the holding of the 4th MRBMC Meeting at the provincial capitol in Kidapawan City on Friday (Nov. 27, 2020). The forum seeks to map out solutions to the perennial flooding problems in Mindanao, particularly in the Central Mindanao region. (Photo courtesy of NoCot PIO)
KIDAPAWAN CITY – The Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) and North Cotabato provincial government hosted here Friday the 4th Mindanao River Basin Management Council (MRBMC) to further discuss the preparations against severe flooding incidents in the province and the rest of Central Mindanao.
MinDA Sec. Emmanuel Piñol said the forum gathered all government agencies to review the implementation of flood-control projects throughout Mindanao, particularly the Central Mindanao region.
Among those in attendance were MRMBMC Chairman Orlando B. Cardinal Quevedo, OMI; MinDA Chair Sec. Emmanuel F. Piñol; Governor Nancy A. Catamco; provincial mayors and other stakeholders, among others.
“We will fuse all inputs of each agency to put up viable initiatives that would deter any untoward flash floods that would displace thousands of families,” he said.
"It would also be the basis in crafting a wider perspective and partnership with other relevant sectors such as the Mindanao Water Supply and Conservation Program," he added.
The agencies included the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Environment and Natural Resources; Department of Agriculture; and the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.
Piñol said that an Israeli entity has also been tapped to provide a satellite generated map of major rivers and its tributaries to ensure a long-term flood control master plan. “We should learn a lesson in Luzon that was recently hit by unexpected flash floods due to deforestations and shallow rivers,” he said. Piñol said a research plan would also be initiated to productively use huge carpets of water hyacinths clogging waterways downstream during inclement weather conditions that could be used to create alternative livelihoods for low-lying communities.
Meanwhile, Catamco expressed support for the project, which she said would help save lives and properties to counter natural calamities brought by climate change.
“All of us must be ready; thus, the government has stepped up measures to ensure the safety of everyone during natural disasters,” she said.
North Cotabato province has several areas oftentimes affected by severe flood occurrences during the rainy season, particularly the towns of Pikit, Alamada, and Kabacan.
The Liguasan Marsh, a vast wetland encompassing the three provinces of North Cotabato, Maguindanao, and Sultan Kudarat, also serves as a “catch basin” of floodwaters from the Agusan and Kabacan rivers traversing the Central Mindanao area. (PNA)
