Imus city: Government officials and representatives from a foreign development agency have officially turned over the newly constructed Imus Retarding Basin to Cavite's provincial government, marking a significant step towards alleviating the persistent flooding issues in Imus City.

According to Philippines News Agency, the turnover ceremony was held in Barangay Anabu 1-G, where Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla, and officials from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) were present. JICA funded the construction of the facility, which aims to mitigate flooding in the region.

Dizon highlighted the drastic change that the basin would bring to the area, recalling how floods previously reached chest-deep levels. "Mayor AA (Alex Advincula), former Governor and Secretary Jonvic (Remulla), and Governor (Francisco Gabriel Remulla) told me that before this facility-and other retarding basins-were built, floodwaters here would reach chest-high," Dizon stated. He emphasized the basin's role in channeling water from the main Imus River into a designated catchment area, effectively preventing overflow into streets and residential areas.

He further suggested that residents of Imus could testify to the basin's impact on reducing flooding. Dizon also mentioned that the Imus Retarding Basin would serve as a model for future projects, including those in Central Luzon, offering hope for flood-prone areas.

The PHP2.4 billion project, completed in 2023, is designed to safeguard Cavite from severe flooding. It utilizes two off-site retarding basins to temporarily hold floodwaters before gradually releasing them into the Imus River, thus protecting downstream communities and reducing flood-related damages.

Funded by a JICA loan, the facility spans 35 hectares-approximately 49 soccer fields-and can accommodate up to 1.12 million cubic meters of water, equivalent to around 448 Olympic-sized swimming pools. The turnover ceremony marked the transfer of the facility's operation and maintenance to the local government unit of Imus.

In addition, Dizon announced that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is scheduled to visit Central Luzon on Wednesday, an area recently affected by heavy monsoon rains.