DOST-PAGASA S&T Media Service
Quezon City
4 April 2025


DOST-PAGASA inaugurates the Cagayan De Oro River Basin Flood Forecasting
and Warning System in Mindanao

Cagayan de Oro City – DOST-PAGASA inaugurates its newly-established Cagayan De Oro River Basin Flood Forecasting and Warning System (FFWS) in Mindanao, situated at the PAGASA Mindanao Regional Services Division in Barangay Molugan, El Salvador City, Misamis Oriental.

The facility serves as one of the state-of-the-art Flood Forecasting and Early Warning System and monitoring facilities of DOST-PAGASA. It covers the Cagayan De Oro River Basin, the 16^th largest river basin among the 18 major river basins in the country, with an estimated area of 1,521 square meters and a river length of 90 kilometers. The river basin also encompasses the provinces of Misamis Oriental and a large portion of Bukidnon. The river is a significant resource in the bustling region of Northern Mindanao, supporting livelihood, agriculture, and economic development. However, in recent years, the river basin has been known for its perennial flooding, which was exacerbated by anthropogenic activities and other environmental issues within the area that further worsened the extent of flood damage.

DOST Secretary Renato U. Solidum, Jr. emphasized that the operationalization of the FFWS in Cagayan de Oro is a major step toward disaster resilience and sustainable development in Northern Mindanao. However, to make this step count, collective action among stakeholders is critical. He emphasized the need to embrace the responsibility of using available advanced technologies to safeguard the communities.

“Preparedness is not just about infrastructure—it is about education, collaboration, and collective action. The success of this system will not only be measured by the technology it deploys but also by the lives and livelihoods it protects.” Secretary Solidum stated.

The Government of Japan, through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), funded the project to enhance DOST-PAGASA’s flood forecasting and warning capabilities in the Cagayan de Oro River Basin. This was made possible through 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. With these advanced technologies, hydrologic forecasting for potential flood events will improve, allowing for earlier and more accurate flood advisories in the region.

DOST-PAGASA Administrator Nathaniel T. Servando expressed his deepest gratitude to the institutions that supported the establishment of the FFWS, reiterating that the disastrous effects of tropical cyclones such as severe floodings can be prevented through the concerted efforts of both private and public organizations.


In his message, Dr. Servando said that “the agency aims to build more monitoring facilities that can efficiently provide accurate data in support of its flood warning services. This is to help equip our countrymen in effectively responding to the potential impacts of natural hazards.”

Attending the inaugural ceremony are key officials from various local and national governments, representatives from the Japan Government, including the Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines, and the country representative of JICA.

For more information about the event, please contact the Mindanao PAGASA Regional Services Division (MPRSD) at phone number 088-5550485 or through email at mprsd@pagasa.dost.gov.ph, and mprsdcdo@yahoo.com.




(original signed)
NATHANIEL T. SERVANDO, Ph.D.
Administrator