Davao City (12 December) -- The new Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines, Mr. Makoto Matsura said President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo led recently the inauguration of the newly completed Rehabilitation/Enhancement of Ormoc Flood Mitigation Structures together with Ormoc City Mayor Eric Codilla and DPWH Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane Jr.

Approximately Php 72-million or 52% of the total project cost of over Php139-million, the project was funded by the Japanese government, through the Non Project Grant Assistance - Countervalue Fund with the local government and DPWH providing the remaining Php 67-million.

The bulk of the total project cost was spent on the reconstruction and rehabilitation of revetment of the Malbasag and Biliboy Slit Dams.

The structures, which were originally built with Japanese grant aid under the Project for Flood Mitigation in Ormoc City from 1998 to 2001, has prevented typhoons from causing damage to properties and loss of lives.

The reconstruction and rehabilitation of the structures has been needed for maintaining and enhancing functions, sustainability and effectiveness of said facilities.

Incidcentally, the 10-meter main entrance road to the resettlement area in Barangay Lao, Ormoc City is named after the Japanese project manager, Mr. Makoto Migita, who died on March 1998 while overseeing the Japanese grant aid Project for Flood Mitigation in Ormoc City.

In a resolution adopted by the Sangguniang Panglungsod of Ormoc City in December 28, 2000, the road was named after Mr. Migita in recognition of his contribution to Ormoc City and its people.