DOST-PAGASA officially inaugurated today, April 4, the new Cagayan de Oro River Basin Flood Forecasting and Warning System (FFWS) in Mindanao, located at the PAGASA Mindanao Regional Services Division in Barangay Molugan, El Salvador City, Misamis Oriental. Funded by the Government of Japan, through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the project includes the installation of modern equipment such as telemetered rainfall and water level gauges, X-Band radar stations, a dedicated data transmission network, and a 24/7 operations center. This system aims to improve flood forecasting and provide earlier, more accurate flood warnings for the region.
Dignitaries and officials, including DOST Officials, local chief executives, partner agencies, participated in key activities such as the blessing of the CDORBFFWS, the unveiling of the marker, ribbon-cutting ceremony, and a tour of the facility.
Ambassador Endo Kazuya also underscored Japan’s commitment to disaster resilience, remarking, “Disaster risk reduction remains a key area of cooperation between our countries, as well as the development of Mindanao.” He further highlighted Japan’s vision of becoming a global leader in disaster prevention and its goal of sharing disaster preparedness and technology worldwide.
DOST Secretary Renato U. Solidum, Jr. emphasized that the operationalization of the FFWS in Cagayan de Oro is a major step toward disaster resilience and sustainable development in Northern Mindanao. However, to make this step count, collective action among stakeholders is critical. He emphasized the need to embrace the responsibility of using available advanced technologies to safeguard the communities.
The facility serves as one of the state-of-the-art Flood Forecasting and Early Warning System and monitoring facilities of DOST-PAGASA. It covers the Cagayan De Oro River Basin, the 16th largest river basin among the 18 major river basins in the country, with an estimated area of 1,521 square meters and a river length of 90 kilometers. The river basin also encompasses the provinces of Misamis Oriental and a large portion of Bukidnon. The river is a significant resource in the bustling region of Northern Mindanao, supporting livelihood, agriculture, and economic development. However, in recent years, the river basin has been known for its perennial flooding, which was exacerbated by anthropogenic activities and other environmental issues within the area that further worsened the extent of flood damage.
screengrabs, info and photos by DOST-PAGASA
