Guv Pushes for Massive Dredging Versus Flooding

 LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN—The governor of Pangasinan strongly advocates for the dredging or large-scale excavation of rivers to address the perennial flooding problems that haunt his constituents.

RIVER DREDGING. A worker uses a backhoe in dredging the Tatalon River in Quezon City on Friday (August 12, 2022). The Department of Public Works and Highways has estimated 50,000 cubic meters of soil, sand, and silt to dredge along the river to increase its capacity in handling rainwater during a heavy downpour and prevent flooding in the area. (PNA photo by Rico H. Borja)

In a recent press briefing during the onslaught of massive flood brough by Typhoon Crising and the southmoonson rains, Governor Ramon V. Guico III emphasized the need for a comprehensive plan for drainage system reconstruction, pumping stations, and retention ponds.

“We have to make bold move kung ano ba talaga yung long-term solutions on how to solve this flooding problem. Kailangan province-wide ito or kung hindi man, region-wide. Kasi ang nakikita naming pinaka-reason are the heavily silted rivers,” Gov. Guico said.

The governor emphasized that one of the key initiatives of the provincial government is to conduct dredging from the river mouths to the upstream areas. This is in line with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Administrative Order No. 2020-07 (DAO 7), which governs dredging activities in the country.

“Yung DAO 7, they will dredge (the river) (with) the province as the proponent. Meron tayong iti-nap na magdredge. They will even pay the province. So, at no cost ito….dumaan sa proseso ito, may ECC lahat,” he added.

Furthermore, Gov. Guico asked the support of Vice Governor Mark Ronald DG Lambino and the sangguniang panlalawigan for an ordinance that will create a task force on flood mitigation and the rehabilitation of the province’s systems.

“Pinag-aralan po namin nila Vice Gov., sabi ko kailangan ng sangguniang panlalawigan ordinance para ma-create ito…I’m very confident that maka-form tayo ng isang department or unit specifically to address the flooding sa probinsya,” he said.

Gov. Guico also encouraged the support of all the province’s congressional representatives to support the realization of the project.

(Ruby F. Rayat/PIMRO, photos by Gian Carlo Millanes)