DPWH: 8 new mobile drainage pumps from Japan to boost flood response

The Department of Public Works and Highways expects to improve its capabilities in responding to floods, with the arrival of eight mobile drainage pumps from Japan.

A report by radio dzBB's Mao dela Cruz on Saturday said the Japanese government turned over the equipment to the agency this week.

DPWH secretary Rogelio Singson said the pumps, provided by the Grant Aid Program for the Project for the Improvement of Equipment for Disaster Risk Management in the Philippines, will allow the DPWH to "respond swiftly during floods usually triggered by typhoons, tropical depression, continuing heavy rains and aggravated by man-made causes such as waterways blockage by solid waste and encroachment of natural waterways."

He added the procurement of mobile drainage pumps will use part of the Grant Aid of Y1 billion (P518 million) of the Japanese government.

Each mobile drainage pump is mounted on a truck with a generator set and 50-meter pump hose.

It can pump floodwater from waterlogged areas into river systems or drainage outfalls.

Quake, tsunami monitoring

The DPWH said the Japanese grant assistance for improving disaster risk management equipment also includes the installation of real-time earthquake and tsunami monitoring systems and a tsunami simulation database.

"Japan, as leading donor to the Philippines’ disaster mitigation program, shares not only the technology but the experiences and lessons learned from the past natural disasters as a disaster-prone country itself," the DPWH said. — Joel Locsin /LBG, GMA News