Impact Assessment of the Lower Agusan Development Project (Flood Control Component)

Description

The report summarizes the findings and analysis of the impact assessment done by including unintended benefits arising from the flood-mitigating project in Butuan City. The said project is situtated at both banks of the end-section of the Agusan River titled the Lower Agusan Development Project - Flood Control Component (LADP-FCC) implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for the period of 1988 - 2007.

The flood control project is a component of the Cotabato-Agusan River Basin Program (CARBDP) established in 1978 under DPWH through Presidential Decree 1556 to develop the river basins of Cotabato River and Agusan River. LADP-FCC was implemented in two phases. FC-Phase I from 1988 to 2000, while FC-Phase II from 1997 to 2007. The total project cost was P5.557 billion funded through a concessional loan provided by then Bank of Japan of International Cooperation (JBIC), now the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) under the Overseas Economic Cooperation Fund (OECF).

The flood control structures, built along the banks of the Agusan River where it traverses Butuan City, in the form of earth levees on the east bank and reinforced concrete floodwall and earth levees on the west bank were constructed to increase the development potential of the region by protecting Butuan City and its surrounding areas from flooding and by introducing more intensive agricultural production through irrigation. Historically, floodwaters have inflicted damage to properties and businesses, and the unavoidable evacuations of residents during monsoon seasons and tropical depressions, which has besieged the area since the 1920’s or earlier.

The LADP has fulfilled its envisaged goals by preventing floodwater from the Agusan River in inundating Butuan City and the development potential of the region, with Butuan City as the regional center, has increased and continues to progress since the project was implemented. It is safe to conclude that the LADP Flood Control Component has substantially accomplished its desired impact.