Fernando leads planning on dredging strategies for Bulacan

CITY OF MALOLOS – Bulacan Governor Daniel R. Fernando met with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Public Works and Highways Region 3, Bulacan Environment and Natural Resources Office and the Torejas Construction Supply Corporation (TCSC) to discuss DENR Administrative Order No. 2020-07- Rationalization Dredging Activities in Heavily Sited River Channels.

“Dapat ‘di tayo tumigil sa paggawa ng maganda para sa kalikasan kahit sa panahon ng pandemya kaya nagpapasalamat tayo sa suporta ng national government. RD, hihingin naming at gusto naming ilapit kay Sec. Cimatu na magawa ‘yung ibang lugar namin na kailangang kailangan ma-dredge,” Fernando addressed Wilson Trajeco, EMB-DENR Regional Director.

RD Trajeco explained that the said administrative order is pursuant to the DENR-DPWH-DILG-DOTR joint memorandum circular no.1 series of 2019 in order to protect and orderly manage the disposition of sand as well as restore the natural state and the water flow of the heavily silted river channels within the country.

Moreover, the TCSC presented their plans on where and how they will be dredging certain areas in Bulacan for free.

“We have identified areas for dredging in the province from Hagonoy to Bulakan, Paombong to Malolos. Ang coverage niya ay from upstream all the way to delta. Base sa pag-aaral naming, these areas are highly susceptible sa flooding during rainy season halos lubog kasi, ‘yung iba wala ng capacity to hold water,” Delfin Bagon, geologist form TCSC said.

TCSC President Dionisio Toreja also showed their financial capability to prove that they can sustain and finish the contract.

“On the basis from the administrative order Sec. 5, that there will be no funding from the government, and mangyayari yung ide-dredge may commercial value po yan, ibebenta din namin yan kasi negosyante din po kami pero magbabayad pa din kami ng buwis sa gobyerno, in that way it will be beneficial to both ends,” Toreja explained.

Engr. Raymund Borlongan and Abraham Dolores from the Provincial Engineer’s Office presented their past dredging acomplishments in the province and showed where else is dredging needed the most.

“Yun din ang proposal namin na ma-dredge lahat ng rivers sa Manila Bay,” Dolores said.
Provincial Planning and Development Officer Arlene Pascual said that the presentation is a work in progress and they can sit down again in another meeting.

She also reiterated that they are expecting the DPWH to consult with the PGB regarding the master plan.

It was decided during the meeting that the
province can continue dredging sited small rivers, which also compliment with the proposed project.###