Naujan

Naujan in is the biggest municipality in the province of Oriental Mindoro. It is frequently visited by typhoons particularly during rainy seasons. During heavy rains, practically all rivers and tributaries overflow to the lower areas, causing floods and damaging crops and properties. Erosion of vast tracts of land occurs at times.

Major rivers contributing to flooding in Naujan are Mag-Asawang Tubig, Panggalaan, and Bucayao River. Naujan generally relies on its natural drainage pattern, except in the downtown area where there are open-type lined canals on both sides of roads.

The Mag Asawang Tubig River, about 95 kilometers long and with a watershed area of 437 square kilometers, is one of the largest river systems in Oriental Mindoro. Accumulations of sand and gravel are common along the inner bends of the meandering Mag Asawang Tubig River.

Two major locations of increased sedimentation were noted for a 7-kilometer stretch of the River: (1) inner bends of the meandering midstream segments of the river and (2) in the channels and island bars near the delta adjacent to Barangay San Antonio, where the channel depth becomes shallow because of high sediment influx and decreased energy.

The proposed green-gray infrastructure project is an effort to protect the small riverside communities along the Mag Asawang Tubig River delta from storm surge and flooding.

Dredging the river will be key to reduce flood heights. Then, the dredged material will be used to create an embankment that will surround the identified villages prone to flooding and storm surge. The design of the embankment shall incorporate vegetation on its slopes and a walkway on its crest.

Rehabilitating Mag Asawang Tubig River delta using green-gray infrastructure may unlock multiple benefits including:

• Reduce the impact of inland flooding

• Restore the riverine ecosystems and biodiversity

• Encourage the reforestation of the uplands

Ultimately, the pilot can make a case for the municipality wide adoption of nature-based strategies to:

• Make the city inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable

• Conserve Naujan’s river network and riverine ecosystems