PAGASA launches Japan-funded Cagayan de Oro River flood warning system

MISAMIS ORIENTAL, Philippines – The Philippine weather bureau on Friday, April 4, inaugurated its Cagayan de Oro River Basin Flood Forecasting and Warning System, which aims to boost disaster preparedness in the provinces of Misamis Oriental and Bukidnon.

This new system of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) was funded through a Japan International Cooperation Agency grant of 930 million yen — around P362 million or $6.4 million at current exchange rates.

The Philippines and Japan signed the grant agreement in June 2018, but civil works only began in March 2023 due to delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The project’s operational phase began in June 2024, while training for system operation and maintenance was conducted in early 2025.

The project involved the “installation of a state-of-the-art network of telemetered rainfall and water level monitoring gauges, X-Band radar stations, a dedicated data transmission backbone, and a 24/7 operations center.”

“These strategically positioned stations, spanning from the upstream to downstream sections of the river basin, will enable hydrologists…to provide accurate, timely, and relevant flood bulletins and warnings to communities vulnerable to flooding,” PAGASA explained.

Here are the exact locations of the stations:

Data from the stations are transmitted to the PAGASA Mindanao Regional Services Division in El Salvador City, Misamis Oriental; the Cagayan de Oro City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office; and the weather bureau’s main office in Quezon City.

“[This] is a testament of our commitment to deliver reliable and relevant products and services to develop communities resilient to hazardous effects of tropical cyclones such as floods,” PAGASA Administrator Nathaniel Servando said in his speech during the inauguration ceremony on Friday.

Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Endo Kazuya, also speaking at the ceremony, noted that disaster risk reduction remains “a key area of cooperation” between Tokyo and Manila, which are set to mark the 70th anniversary of their diplomatic relations in 2026. Endo happened to be celebrating his first anniversary as ambassador on Friday.

“This initiative is a crucial step in ensuring the well-being of the communities, especially as the frequency and intensity of natural disasters continue to pose challenges to the country’s socio-economic development,” said the Japanese ambassador.

Early warnings crucial

While the Cagayan de Oro River Basin is key for Northern Mindanao’s economy as it supports agriculture and tourism, perennial flooding is a problem.

The river basin, which cuts through Misamis Oriental and Bukidnon, is the 16th largest among the 18 major river basins in the country. It has an estimated drainage area of 1,521 square kilometers and a river length of 90 kilometers.

According to PAGASA, the Cagayan de Oro River Basin has a “very steep” slope, which means waters from upstream flow quickly to downstream areas. This makes early warnings all the more crucial, especially for residents who must evacuate.

The need for an upgraded warning system was evident particularly in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Sendong (Washi) in December 2011.

Sendong struck Northern Mindanao and unleashed devastating rain over the Cagayan de Oro River Basin. It killed more than 1,200 people in the cities of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan, and left behind damage amounting to P2 billion.

Misamis Oriental 2nd District Representative Yevgeny Vincente “Bambi” Emano recalled in a press conference with PAGASA and Japanese officials how his father, the late Vicente “Dongkoy” Emano, was “blamed because of all the deaths.” The elder Emano was Cagayan de Oro City mayor during the onslaught of Sendong.

“With the current technology that has been given to us, I believe that local governments are so fortunate,” said the congressman.

‘We are not powerless’

But alongside the advanced technology, community involvement is critical.

For Science and Technology Secretary Renato Solidum Jr., that entails redefining disaster resilience in the Philippine context — going beyond the image of Filipinos as cheerful amid tragedy, and taking concrete action to protect lives as well as jobs.

“We are not powerless against disasters when we have the right knowledge, the right tools, and the right behavior to act at the right time,” Solidum said.

“For too long, we Filipinos have been portrayed as mere victims of disasters. But we have the power to change this narrative.” – Rappler.com