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Erosions damage river banks, coasts in Vigan; execs alarmed
By Mar T. Supnad

VIGAN CITY – Major erosions have damaged river banks and coastal areas here alarming local officials here headed by Mayor Eva Marie S. Medina to start mitigating measures.

In its coastal zone management program, Vigan which has four rivers that serve as main natural drainage network for Metro Vigan and surrounding areas, a comprehensive environment program had been launched .

The Mestizo, Pantay and the Govantes rivers have been subject to considerable siltation programs in recent years.

The Abra River, on the other hand, was observed to have had increased flow as deforestation increased run-off.

Sources said the color of the sea during the rainy season turns khaki from the sediment load of the Abra River discharge, indicating possible illegal logging operations along its high mountains.

Medina said Vigan has two kilometers of open coast that is predominantly sand with a gentle slope into the sea.

The coast, however is prone to strong waves and wind action particularly during storms and typhoons. In recent years, the beach has seen significant and rapid erosion.

In its report, the most significant issue in the coastal zone has been rapid shoreline erosion.

Vigan has reportedly lost 1.4 km of its coastal area submerged into the sea. Reports of lost fishing villages, fish farms, estates and coconut plantations were described by many fisher folk as alarming.

Some have described shoreline erosion as the most significant environmental problems besetting the coastal barangays of St Pedro, Mindoro and Pantay Laud. These are the possible indications:

First, a rise in sea levels may be increasing erosion on all vulnerable coast lines on the South China Sea. Reports from Vietnam indicate that country may be suffering from similar problems of coastal zone erosion during major storms and typhoons. In fact, a major collapse of a dyke in Nam Dinh province in 2006 was attributed at least in part to sea level rise.
Second, according to the report, increased flow rates in the Abra River located west of Vigan’s municipal boundaries may have increased inshore turbulence as fresh water meets the relatively strong currents of the South China Sea.

Increased turbulence could be scouring sand opening the littoral zone to increased wave action, the report said.

Third, a report prepared for the municipality of Santa Catalina for its recently constructed breakwall alluded to both shoreline erosion and growth as part of a natural cycle

Vigan was established prior to the Spanish arrival in the late 1500’s on an island adjacent to the Abra River on the South China Sea.

In addition to the Abra River, the city is bordered by the Govantes on the northern boundary, the Pantay and the Mestizo on the southern boundary.