ROXAS CITY, Capiz – To address flooding due to siltation and accumulated trash obstructing water flow, the desiltation of the Panay River kicked off on Monday, June 19.
The starting point of the dredging operation was an outlet of the stream from the Panay River into the sea in Barangay Punta Barra.
Roxas City mayor Ronnie Dadivas thanked Capiz Gov. Fredenil Castro for supporting the local government unit’s request to dredge the Panay River stretch in the city.
The governor lobbied for the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Region 6 to lend its dredging machine to remove silt, sediment and garbage in the river.
DPWH’s dredging machine would arrive in the city for the waterways clearing operation during Roxas City’s 72nd charter anniversary opening program on May 12.
The dredging will cover 10 barangays in the city, from Barra to Bato, Banica and Punta Cogon, Dadivas said.
He added that it is also instrumental in preserving aquatic life as pollutants, hazardous substances, and debris are removed from water bodies.
The city’s fisherfolk association is hopeful that the dredging activity will also bring back the glory days of fishing as a livelihood, which has been affected by siltation and garbage polluting the river.
“Sang gagmay kami, sa kilid suba lang kami gapangisda damo na kuha pero subong bangud sa basura nagnabaw na ang suba, wala na. (When we were still young, we had plenty of fish catch but now, we could no longer make it),””said Fisherfolk’s Association president Sheryl Ortega, as quoted from Dadivas’ Facebook post.
Aside from the Panay River, all the creeks and waterways in the city will also be cleared of obstructions to reduce the impact of flooding. (PIA Capiz)/PN
