New retarding basin in Imus aims to curb Cavite flooding

New retarding basin in Imus aims to curb Cavite flooding

IMUS, Cavite — Local officials have turned over a new flood-control facility in Imus as part of a broader effort to curb chronic flooding in low-lying Cavite communities, provincial authorities said Thursday.

The Imus Retarding Basin, built along Palanas Road in Barangay Anabu 1-G, spans about 35 hectares and includes an 84-meter overflow dike, 1.3 kilometers of surrounding dike and 1.1 kilometers of separating dike. The Department of Public Works and Highways said it excavated roughly 2 million cubic meters of soil to a depth of about 7 meters to create storage capacity for excess stormwater.

Retarding basins are designed to hold stormwater temporarily during heavy rain and release it gradually, reducing peak flood flows, river overflow and flooding downstream.

A second retarding basin in Imus, in Barangay Buhay na Tubig, comprises two temporary storage ponds linked by a sluiceway and covers a combined 9 hectares. Officials said the two facilities work together to regulate stormwater and lower peak flows along the Imus and Bacoor rivers, offering added protection to downstream communities.

The basins are part of the Imus River Flood Management Master Plan, developed with support from the Japan International Cooperation Agency, and fall under the Cavite Industrial Area Flood Risk Management Project. That larger project includes additional retarding basins, river improvements and drainage upgrades, along with flood forecasting, monitoring, emergency response and disaster preparedness measures.

Officials said the basins are also being used as community spaces when dry, with residents jogging, walking and biking in the areas. Authorities are exploring further development of parts of the sites into recreational spaces.

Cavite, one of the most densely populated and rapidly urbanizing provinces in the Philippines, has long grappled with flooding tied to heavy monsoon rains, typhoons and rapid land conversion in its low-lying areas near Manila Bay.

The Imus and Bacoor rivers, which drain much of the province’s urban core, have historically overflowed during major storms, displacing residents and disrupting businesses.

JICA has backed several flood-mitigation studies and projects across Metro Manila and its surrounding provinces in past years, part of a broader pattern of Japanese development assistance for Philippine infrastructure.