The National Water Resources Board (NWRB) is planning to establish a Luzon-wide river monitoring network after receiving a high-tech water information system from South Korea for the Pampanga River Basin.
The Integrated Water Resources Management Information System, developed through support from the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), includes 67 sensors placed across 68 rivers. These sensors continuously track rainfall, water levels, and river flow, feeding real-time data into an online portal accessible to both government agencies and the public.
Following the success of this project, NWRB aims to expand the system to four other major river basins in Luzon—the Cagayan, Agno, Abra, and Abulog—by 2030.
NWRB Officer-in-Charge Executive Director Ricky Arzadon said the initiative supports evidence-based water management and efficient allocation of resources for households, farms, and energy production. He added that NWRB will ensure long-term operation through sustained funding and a clear sustainability plan.
The Pampanga River Basin plays a crucial role in national water security as it hosts the Angat Dam, which supplies drinking water to Metro Manila and irrigates Central Luzon’s farmlands.
The project, developed with Dongbu Engineering and K-Water, also trained Filipino water professionals in system operation, data analysis, and drone-based river monitoring.
KOICA country director Jung Youngsun expressed hope that the initiative will serve as a national model for sustainable water management across the Philippines.
