The Fourth Workshop 
The Fourth Workshop for the Feasibility Study of the Flood Control Project for the Lower Cagayan River was held at Crown Lodge in Tuguegarao City on May 22, 2001. 

Presentation by Project Director Philip F. Meñez - PMO-MFCDP II

Participants:
Participants to the Workshop included two representatives from DPWH Flood Control Project Management Office, representatives from department offices of Region II (DA, DAR, DENR, DPWH, DSWD, NEDA, OCD, PAGASA and PNP), Provincial government offices of Cagayan and Isabela, as well as 10 LGU representatives. 

Specific objectives: 
- to gauge the acceptability of the Master Plan to the Community 
- to establish the acceptability and priority of candidate projects for flood control 
- to know the requirements needed to implement the Master Plan/ Flood Control Project 
- to know / identify what needs to be done, considered, addressed on the key issues and concerns, i.e. 
- community participation 
- resettlement and relocation 
- cost sharing for project implementation 
- implementation structure.

Participants confirmed that the general objectives of the workshop have been achieved. It was also confirmed that the project features and benefits understood in today's workshop would be shared among other stake- holders in each participant's community. During the workshop, it was also confirmed that issues and concerns needed to be addressed and considered have been discussed in detail during the workshop. Resolutions from LGUs for their support of the project will be submitted to the Study Team, after the holding of forum within each LGU on the cost-sharing issues. 

First Technology Transfer Seminar 
The First Technology Transfer Seminar for the Feasibility Study of the Flood Control Project for the Lower Cagayan River was conducted at Crown Lodge in Tuguegarao City on May 25, 2001. Participants to the first technology transfer seminar included representatives from department offices of Region II (DAR, DENR, DA, DSWD, DILG, DPWH and NEDA), Provincial government of Cagayan as well as 16 LGUs.

Presentation by Mrs. Elisa Carodan, PPDO - Cagayan Province

 Four major topics covered during the Seminar:
1. "Master Plan Formulation for the Cagayan River Basin" by Mr. Sato (10:15-11:00)
2. "Purpose of Watershed Conservation" by Mr. Hino (11:00-12:00)
3. "Land Use Planning" by Mr. Takashi Kurauchi,
4. "River Morphology and River Planning" by Mr. Takayuki Nobe,

During the seminar, active discussions were made on the topics covered. Features of the discussion are as follows:
1) WATERSHED PRESERVATION: A participant noted that he was glad to listen to the topic on watershed preservation and reforestation, as these topics were not included in the 1987 Master Plan.
2) MASTER PLAN FORMULATION: A question was raised regarding the method of integrating various sectoral plans into our Master Plan Study. Mr. Sato clarified that the sectoral studies on watershed management, irrigation and flood controls are integrated into one comprehensive plan (MP) through alternative studies on combination of sectoral plans.
3) NECESSITY TO CONDUCT FEASIBILITY STUDY: Another participant raised a question whether it is necessarily to conduct a feasibility study, despite the fact that projects are already considered as prioritized project in 1987 Master Plan. The Study Team explained that economic and financial evaluations on prioritized projects are only preliminary studied during Master Plan stage and in order to confirm the feasibility of the projects, the feasibility study should be conducted. NEDA Region II staff also further explained to the participants that feasibility study is mandatory in requesting overseas funding for a project.
4) WATERSHED MANAGEMENT METHODS: Regarding watershed management, a participant raised a question on comparative advantage of sabo dam construction and reforestation. Mr. Hino pointed out the fact that reforestation will take time to mitigate sedimentation, as trees would require years to grow before their effect become visible. Immediate measures can be made by sabo dam construction. Moreover, Mr. Hino explained that there exist many sabo dams within Magat river basin, as Magat river basin is one of the most important tributary of Cagayan river with heavy sedimentation problem.
5) COST SHARING BY LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS: Regarding cost sharing of local government, a question was raised whether cost sharing alternatives would also be recommended once this study is completed. Mr. Sato explained that government cost sharing includes land acquisition costs for right-of-way and resettlement areas, which normally includes LGU funds as well. Alternative measures of cost sharing will not be recommended by the Study Team, he noted.
6) IMPLEMENTATION SCHEME: Mr. Sato then asked participant from Tuguegarao whether they would prefer force account system or contract system for implementing the proposed project. The participant answered that he prefers contract system, since there is a security measure, i.e. contractor, if anything goes wrong during and after the Construction.
7) TECHNOLOGY EXCHANGE: A participant requested that next technology transfer seminar should compare technology of Japan and the Philippines. In response to the request, Mr. Sato agreed on the point raised and consider to have the seminar as "technology exchange seminar". 

Consultation Meeting 
Public Consultation Meeting with Key Officials from Local Government Units were held in Tuguegarao on 29 May 2001 and in Amulung on 30 May 2001. Representatives from City Government and Barangays concerned participated in the Meetings 

Participants in the Consultation Meeting

 Objectives of the consultation meeting are:
1) to familiarize the local government with the candidate projects for the lower Cagayan River; and
2) to solicit concerns and issues which could further improve the project plan. In both meetings, overview of the Project was explained by DPWH personnel.
Thereafter, presentation of the Candidate Flood Control Projects in the Lower Cagayan River by Mr. Hino, Co-Team Leader of JICA Study Team.

Candidate projects, i.e.
1) widening Magapit Narrows,
2) dike/levee with forest along the river,
3) bank protection, and
4) land reclamation by embankment of dredged material were explained to the participants in detail during Mr. Hino's presentation.

After Mr. Hino's presentation, an open-forum discussion was held. Active participation by representatives from Barangays and Municipal and City governments was made. At the end of both public consultation, it was agreed that all local government unit concerned supports the implementation of flood control project in lower Cagayan River.