Mines Bureau expresses support on dredging of Cagayan river

Tuguegarao City, Cagayan- The Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Office No. II spearheaded by Regional Director Mario A. Ancheta has expressed its support to the dredging project on heavily silted channel of Cagayan river.

RD Ancheta has expressed his support to the project of the Provincial Government of Cagayan for the restoration of the Cagayan River and its tributaries.

Ancheta said during the virtual public consultation that MGB will work hand in hand with the province, “We will monitor the dredging plan and we will see if the activities are aligned to the laws and policies. Actually, we have our initial assessment such as bathymetric survey along Cagayan River.” Ancheta said.

“We also conducted analysis in some parts of Alcala, Camalanuigan, and Lallo. And if there are minerals that are dredged, we will impose corresponding taxes, “Ancheta added.

The bathymetric survey was conducted at the port of Brgy. Tupang, Alcala, Cagayan to the boundary of Lallo- Camalaniugan.

The data collected for the survey contained an area of 4,111.00 hectares.

On the other hand, the Provincial Government of Cagayan recently hosted a virtual public consultation on the Restoration of the Cagayan River and its Tributaries.

The virtual public consultation discussed the implementation of DENR’s Department Administrative Order 2020- 07 on Rationalizing Dredging Activities in Heavily- Silted River Channels pursuant to the DENR-DPWH-DILG-DOTR Joint Memorandum Circular No. 1 Series of 2019.

“This virtual public consultation is a proof of how interested the province is to this project. Dredging para maibsan ang epekto ng pagbaha sa probinsya,“Environment Undersecretary Atty. Juan Miguel T. Cuna said on his message.

Moreover, Cagayan Governor Manuel N. Mamba said that the dredging project has been part of the development agenda of his administration.

“Buhay ang Cagayan river. It is one of the major sources of our livelihood and economic driver of the province,” Gov. Mamba said.

 “Our Cagayan River is a boon in our province. It is a source of livelihood, but sometimes, it becomes a bane that we suffer lost of lives, properties, and livelihoods,” Mamba said during the virtual consultation.

This is also the reason why Gov. Mamba wants to push through the dredging activity, “ To avoid further destruction of lives and properties due to flooding,” Mamba said.

Mamba likewise plans to reopen the port of Aparri which has been a major seaport before its closure due to siltation.

“Dredge the river to make it viable. You need to trust me here, work with me. Help me here for I saw how good it was, “Mamba assured his fellow Cagayanos that dredging will help mitigate flooding in Cagayan.

The virtual public consultation was attended by regional and provincial offices, academe, media, civic organizations, environmentalists, and other stakeholders.