Restoration of Ilocos longest river launched

By Mariell Pahinag 

LAOAG CITY --- The provincial government of Ilocos Norte and four government agencies officially launched Phase 1 of the Padsan River restoration project through ceremonial dredging here in Metro Gabu Dec. 15.
    The restoration of the longest river of Ilocos Norte was set to prevent wide-scale flooding in the province like during Typhoon Ineng in 2019. 
    The Provincial Quarry Office, had been collaborating with the Departments of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and DENR’s Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) and Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), as well as the official contractor, He Sha Prime Sand & Gravel Aggregates Philippines Inc., to conduct vital research and studies for the project.
    Present during the ceremonial dredging were Gov, Matthew Marcos Manotoc, Vice Gov. Cecilia Araneta Marcos, regional directors of DENR lawyer Crizaldy M. Barcelo, DPWH engineer Mathias L. Malenab, MGB’s Socrates G. Gaerlan, EMB Ma. Dorica N. Hioe, officials of He Sha headed by Ignacio Richie Balicanta IV the president, Mayor Michael Marcos Keon and officials of the local government of Laoag.
    "Ang takeaway po noon ay grabe daw ang baha sa Laoag. Hindi daw ganito dati. Never nag-flood ang Laoag ng ganito. So, we really took it upon ourselves to try to find a solution. Bilang local chief executives, our primary mandate is to ensure the safety, peace, and order, of course, of all of our constituents and our dear kakailian," Manotoc said during the ceremony.
    This project aims to rehabilitate the province's longest river, with a total length of 73.10 kilometers and a river valley of 1,320 square kilometers, which runs through the towns of Dingras, Sarrat, San Nicolas, and Laoag City.
     It also intends to prevent siltation, which reduces the river's ability to carry floodwaters and provides more opportunities to local populations through sand extraction.
     The dredging contractor is expected to restore the natural flow of the Padsan River in accordance with Joint Memorandum Circular 1, Series of 2019, DENR Administrative Order (DAO) 2020-07, related implementing rules and regulations prescribed by the inter-agency committee, and the Ilocos Norte government's Revised Provincial Revenue Code of 2020.
     Following the grant of a three-year river restoration permit 2022-RR-01 from Dec. 15, 2022, to Dec. 14, 2025, HE SHA Prime Sand and Gravel Aggregates Philippines Inc. has begun deploying its dredging equipment at the mouth of the Padsan River in Metro Gabu.
     Manotoc also promised to compensate all residents affected by the river dredging project in 15 barangays saying he and other collaborating agencies will fulfill their responsibilities.