Briefer on the Mindanao River Basin Rehabilitation and Development

The Mindanao River Basin in Southwestern Mindanao, is the second largest river basin in the Philippines. It has a catchment area of 23,169 sq. km. and 375 km. in length, which covers major portions of the Provinces of North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, South Cotabato, Cotabato City, Maguindanao, Bukidnon and portions of Agusan del Sur, Lanao del Sur and Four (4) Mindanao Regions namely Regions X, XII, XIII and ARMM.

In general, the tributary main stem rivers are located in broad, relatively flat low-lying valleys surrounded by high mountains.  Most of the basin is within Type III climate region.  Runoff in the basin is fairly evenly distributed throughout the year although there are typically, slightly higher flows during the period from June to October.

The river basin is largely divided into two major tributary basins, the Pulangi and Ala River Basins.  The Pulangi River Basin, with head water from Bukidnon, drains an area of 16,320 km² and comprises of twelve minor basins, the biggest of which are the watersheds of Maridagao, Buluan, Marupali, and Muleta.  The Ala River Basin, traversing the Ala Valley in the south, drains an area of 6,849 km², and comprises of two minor basins, Banga and Maganoy.  The Mindanao River Basin comprises of a large portion of the provinces of Bukidnon, North Cotabato, South Cotabato, Maguindanao, and Sultan Kudarat. The Mindanao and Tamontaka Rivers in the lower part of the river basin, all flows towards the Illana Bay.

The Mindanao River Basin is one of the eighteen (18) major river basins that have been considered for study under the Nationwide Flood Control Plan and Dredging Program in 1982 (River Dredging Project II).

Unfortunately after said study, the recommended follow-on studies and civil works to mitigate flooding in the area have not been implemented on full scale primarily because of the unstable peace and order situation in the area.

Flooding conditions in the area worsened through the years and practically stalling the economic progress. With the current administration thrust for Progress in Mindanao, mitigations of flooding is one of the urgent concerns particularly the Lower Cotabato Area, where Cotabato City, the center of all economic, social and political activities in the province of Maguindanao is located.

URGENT MEASURES

                

Last July 2008, Cotabato City was flooded due to Typhoon “Frank” which resulted to damages to millions of pesos and disrupted socio-economic activities in the area for almost two (2) months. Flooding were due to the heavy siltation of Rio Grande de Mindanao, especially the river mouth (Bucana) section; breaching of Simuay River, the flows diverted to two (2) creeks, (CALZADA) which discharges to Rio Grande about 1 km. downstream of new bridge, bringing heavy siltation to Rio Grande de Mindanao.

CREATION OF THE TASK FORCE

There were three Executive Orders that led to the Creation of the Presidential Task Force on Mindanao River Basin Rehabilitation and Development. These are the EO No. 743 Creating a Task Force on Cotabato Flood Control (July 24, 2008); EO No. 753 Creating a Presidential Task Force for the Mindanao River Basin Rehabilitation (September 29, 2008); and EO No. 753-A Amending EO No. 753, series of 2008, which created the Presidential Task Force on Mindanao River Basin Rehabilitation and Development (January 5, 2009). On February 15, 2010, the President signed Executive Order No. 753-B amending EO No. 753-A and extending the term of the Task Force until December 31, 2012.

OFFICERS AND MEMBERS

The appointed Chairman is Cotabato Archbishop   Orlando B. Quevedo, OMI, DD with the Co-Chairman ARMM Governor, the Chairman of RDCC-ARMM, three Vice- Chairmen, Undersecretaries of DPWH and DENR and Chairman of RDCC XII, members composed of five Provincial Governors, Mayors, and  Regional Directors/Heads of Government Line Agencies within the Mindanao River Basin

 MANDATES

· Coordinate the formulation and implementation of the Mindanao River Basin (MRB) Relief, Rehabilitation and Long-Term Development Plan;

· Integrate flood control efforts in the areas  of ARMM and Region XII that were flooded by Typhoons Frank and Cosme;

· Ensure that public funds for the     rehabilitation and development of the Mindanao River Basin (MRB) shall be spent judiciously and effectively through efficient prioritization of programs and consistent monitoring of projects;

· Serve as clearing house for all proposals related to the development of the Mindanao River Basin (MRB);

· Upon consultation and evaluation, approve appropriate requests in connection with the Mindanao River Basin (MRB) development;

· Notify the DBM of its approval as basis for the release of funds for the Mindanao River Basin development ;

· Submit quarterly reports to the Presidential Management Staff on the work being done by the Task Force for the Mindanao River Basin Rehabilitation and Development, and to the DBM on funds allocated indicating the amount released, obligated, and disbursed for projects and the accomplishments for the expended appropriations