With Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer Eliseo Mabasa and Aparri Community Environment and Natural Resources Officer Joselito Razon, Director Bambalan inspected the Mission River in Sta. Teresita town that overflowed due to the heavy rains brought about by Typhoon Maring on October 11-12. According to Regional Director Nelson Honrado of the Environmental Management Bureau, the river channel has changed and some parts of the riverbanks have eroded.

 

Director Bambalan also monitored the removal of sandbars along the Magapit Narrows in Lal-lo town and in Brgy. Dummun of Gattaran. These are the two priority sites of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for sandbars removal in the heavily-silted Cagayan River.

 

At the Magapit Narrows, the DPWH reported a total of 364,143 cu.m. of sandbars removed which is over the expected total volume to be dredged.

 

Meanwhile, about 81,800 cu.m. of sandbars from the 970,962 cu.m. target have been removed in Dummun site. The DPWH said the weather disturbances have affected the dredging operations that started last June 21.

 

In the recent meeting of the Task Force, Secretary Cimatu has advised the DPWH to suspend operations during inclement weather for the safety of operators and equipment.#