LAL-LO, Cagayan, Feb. 3 (PIA) - -No less than Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark A. Villar and Environment Secretary Roy A. Cimatu led the actual dredging of the Cagayan River and planting of Bamboos along the riverbank, respectively during the launching of the Cagayan River Restoration program at Barangay Bangag, this town.
Cimatu, the chair of the Build Back Better Task Force which was created through the Executive Order 120 issued by President Rodrigo Duterte, said the restoration of the Cagayan River will not only entail dredging and desilting of the river but it includes watershed management as well as building of resilient shelter and settlement, and providing livelihood to the affected communities.
"The President himself approved the widening of the Magapit Narrows and the removal of 19 sandbars in the Cagayan River. Our government is taking this matter seriously," Cimatu said.
Villar, on his part as the co-chair of the task force, said they have already deployed the needed dredging equipment in the different strategic sites that are identified priority for the dredging activities.
He added that the DPWH allotted funds for the fuel and other expenses that will be needed to pursue with the dredging activities.
Aside from the the DPWH equipment, there are also heavy equipment from the engineering brigade of the Philippine Army and from the Department of National Defense to help in dredging the river.
Governor Manuel N. Mamba expressed his gratitude to the national government agencies that realized the long overdue dream of the people of Cagayan to restore the glory of the mighty Cagayan River.
"It is time for Cagayan and Cagayan Valley to regain its place to the worldwide trade. This is the right thing that we should do. This is a long long long dream of every Cagayano," Mamba said.
On his part, Lal-lo Mayor Florence Oliver Pascual said the communities residing along the Cagayan River are very thankful of the project as they constantly experience devastations caused by severe flooding whenever the river swells.
"This notable project of restoring Cagayan River implemented under the principles of Build Back Better is the answer to the perennial problem of flooding," Pascual said.
Engineer Jerry Fano of DPWH central office also presented that the 19 sandbars that will be dredged are located in the towns of Aparri, Calamaniugan, Lallo, Gattaran, Sto Nino, Alcala, Amulung, Iguig, Solana, Enrile and Tuguegarao City. (MDCT/OTB/PIA 2-Cagayan)
Source: Philippines Information Agency (pia.gov.ph)
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