CAPIZ – The Panay River Basin Integrated Development Project (PRBIDP) has officially entered the crucial Detailed Engineering Design (DED) phase, a major milestone acknowledged by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Main Office during a meeting held on February 4.
The meeting, held at the Capiz Provincial Capitol, was attended by Governor Fredenil H. Castro and representatives of the Korean Engineering Consultants Corporation (KECC), among other key stakeholders. Discussions highlighted the project’s importance to flood mitigation, livelihood improvement, and sustainable development in the province.
The DPWH said the DED phase began in November 2025 and is expected to be completed by March 2027.
Upon completion, the detailed engineering plans will be submitted to the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) for evaluation and approval. The required documents will then be forwarded to the National Government of Korea to facilitate the processing of a loan application that will fund the project.
As part of the DED phase, the DPWH and KECC will conduct extensive field surveys from February to June 2026. The surveys aim to gather critical data that will guide the project’s final design and implementation.
The DPWH also emphasized close coordination with the Provincial Government of Capiz, including affected barangays and municipalities, to ensure that local concerns are addressed and community inputs are integrated into project planning. To promote transparency, the DPWH committed to providing the Office of the Governor with monthly updates on survey findings.
During the meeting, participants also discussed ongoing and proposed measures to mitigate possible impacts of the project on surrounding communities, with the goal of ensuring that the PRBIDP improves local conditions rather than disrupts them.
Gov. Castro expressed full support for the project, noting that the PRBIDP has long been awaited by Capiceños as a solution to recurring flooding while opening opportunities for livelihood enhancement and sustainable economic growth. He reaffirmed the provincial government’s commitment to work closely with all stakeholders to ensure the project’s successful implementation./PN
