The National Water Resources Board (NWRB) received a smart water portal from South Korea that will monitor water and rainfall levels of the Pampanga River basin.
The NWRB obtained the Integrated Water Resources Management Information System (IWRMIS) for the Pampanga River Basin Project during a recent ceremony at the NWRB Conference Hall and Data Center.
NWRB Officer-in-Charge Executive Director Ricky A. Arzadon said the project represents more than just a technological advancement.
“This embodies our collective aspiration for a future where water governance is guided by accurate data, sound science, and a strong spirit of cooperation,” he said.
“Through this system, we are better equipped to manage, protect, and allocate our water resources efficiently and sustainably,” he added.
He pledged the NWRB’s commitment to keeping the system running long-term by providing steady funding and support through a clear sustainability plan.
The handover ceremony brought together key officials and representatives, including Korea Minister and Consul General Sang Seung Man.
A main component of the project is the Water Resources Information Portal System (WRIPS), which features 67 sensors across 68 rivers in the Pampanga River Basin, monitoring rainfall, water levels and flow discharges around the clock.
The data streams to an online portal accessible to government agencies and the public alike.
The Pampanga River Basin, where the Angat Dam is situated, supplies drinking water to millions in Metro Manila and irrigates the rice fields that make Central Luzon the nation’s food basket.
Managing competing demands―households, farms, power plants―has always been challenging. The new system improves decision-making with science-backed information.
Funded by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and developed with Dongbu Engineering and K-Water, the project included comprehensive training for Filipino water professionals in system operation, data analysis and monitoring rivers using drone.
Success in the Pampanga River Basin has sparked plans to expand the system to four more major river basins (RB) in Luzon by 2030: Cagayan RB, Agno RB, Abra RB and Abulog RB, creating a Luzon-wide water monitoring network.
The portal is already live and publicly accessible. Students, journalists, researchers and curious citizens can all view the same real-time data that guides government decisions towards transparent governance.
For the millions who depend on the Pampanga River Basin, the project unfolds a new opportunity towards improved water resources management where science guides policy through cutting-edge technology. DENR News
