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[av_heading heading=’Aklan River dredging: ‘Env’t officials watching’’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=” av-medium-font-size-title=” av-small-font-size-title=” av-mini-font-size-title=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” admin_preview_bg=”][/av_heading]
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KALIBO, Aklan – Secretary Roy Cimatu warned the contractor of the Aklan River dredging project in this capital town that the Environment department will be closely watching their activities.
The protection of the environment and the people must be prioritized, Cimatu told stakeholders during a dialogue discussing the Aklan River Flood Mitigation Project.
The provincial government of Aklan tapped Santarli Panay Resources Co. Ltd. to dredge 15 million cubic meters of sand from the Aklan River for three years.
A ship commissioned by Santarli will transport the dredged materials to Singapore. The contractor will also pay the provincial government for every cubic meter of dredged material.
Residents of Barangay Bakhaw Norte in this town complained about the soil erosion on the riverbanks in the village. They were blaming the dredging activity, which they said allows bigger waves from the open sea.
Mayor William Lachica sought help from Cimatu to gather the locals and the contractor in a dialogue, which was held last month.
In a technical report, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau, an attached agency of the Environment department, presented satellite images of the Kalibo River from 2008 to 2014 showing the continuous erosions at the riverbanks. These were because of climate change, the MGB explained.
Moreover, after typhoon “Frank” in 2008, Aklan River became heavily silted due to massive soil erosion from the hinterlands of Libacao town, the report stated.
Bakhaw Norte village chief Maribeth V. Cual clarified that they were not against the dredging as long as it does no harm on the environment and the residents.
For the part of the contractor, they insisted that they have all the documents required to pursue the project, and that the project will be economically beneficial to the provincial government, as it will not shell out any amount and will be paid for the dredged material instead.
“I am very sure all our worries will be satisfactorily addressed in due time,” Cimatu said. “We are certain of one thing: the DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources) will closely monitor the impacts of the dredging activity.”
“Foremost must be the protection of the people and the environment,” he said.
Also present at the dialogue were Gov. Florencio Miraflores, Rep. Carlito Marquez, DENR regional director Jim O Sampulna, Undersecretary Ernesto Adobo, and other DENR, MGB and Environmental Management Bureau officials. (With a report from DENR Region 6/PN)
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