The Department of Public Works and Highways-Davao (DPWH-11) is moving forward with its plan to build a retarding pond in Davao City to mitigate flooding in downtown area.

Engineer Ivan Cortez, officer-in-charge of the Davao City Planning and Development Office, said the retarding pond is part of the Davao City flood control project.

A retarding pond is a facility designed to store large volumes of rainwater temporarily, helping reduce the flow of water into rivers and low-lying areas. In the case of Davao City, these low-lying areas include its downtown area.

“The DPWH right now is looking into the construction of the retarding pond. The headwaters of the Davao River are originated in Bukidnon in order for us to limit the volume of water going down we really need to have the retarding pond between Marilog to Mandug,” Cortez said.

Cortez said they are hoping that the national government will also allocate funds for the project.

“We are hoping that the national government will provide funding. I do not have the figure (cost of the project) but it’s a land acquisition because it’s a multi-purpose retarding pond it becomes also source of water for irrigation services,” Cortez added.

The secondary technical assessment is underway to determine the most suitable location for the project, which is expected to start in 2028.

Meanwhile, architect and urban planner Felino Palafox emphasized the need to strengthen a rainwater harvesting system, which collects rainwater from rooftops to be recycled.

“We need open spaces so that rainwater will go to the ground. We need rainwater harvestry,” Palafox said.

The city already has a Rainwater Ordinance, which requires the installation of rainwater catchment systems in newly constructed buildings and homes.

Palafox said there is also a need to improve drainage systems, as most drainage systems in the country are undersized.

“Our drainage and sewerage lines are about 75 percent undersized, maybe more. They are always silted nationwide, it’s about 75 percent. Maybe, the design criteria we use may already be obsolete,” Palafox said.

Palafox stressed the importance of implementing the recommendations he has submitted to the government to help the country prepare for potential hazards and prevent major damage from disasters such as earthquakes and floods.

“It’s 90 percent less expensive to address the hazard before it becomes disasters. We know the solutions to the problem but were not implemented due to corruption and lack of visionary leadership, lack of political will, lack of appreciation for good urban and regional planning, lack of good architecture and engineering, and lack of excellent management and governance,” Palafox said.