Calls for Comprehensive Review of Dredging Contracts in Occidental Mindoro
Occidental Mindoro’s lone district representative has urged officials to undertake a thorough review of all dredging contracts deemed harmful to the environment. This call comes amid growing concerns about the long-term impact of these projects on local ecosystems and communities. The need to evaluate these contracts has become urgent following a recent Supreme Court ruling that invalidated a 25-year mining moratorium imposed by the provincial government.
The congressman stressed, “I think we need to pause while doing a comprehensive review of all of these contracts that are deleterious, not just to the environment, but also to the future welfare of Occidental Mindoro. In the long term, we need to review the laws and other policies regarding industries that exploit our environment.”
Environmental Concerns over River Dredging Operations
Local communities have long raised issues about dredging activities in the province’s rivers. According to community leaders, these operations produce excessive noise, cause pollution, and disturb fish populations that many residents rely on for their livelihoods. Recently, a sand carrier vessel sank in Lumintao near Rizal, resulting in several fatalities. The ship’s owner reportedly did not provide immediate assistance following the incident.
“Tingnan na din natin itong mga dredging na ginagawa sa ating mga ilog. Matagal ng inaangal na ang dredging ay maingay, makalat at nagpapaalis sa mga isda na ikinabubuhay ng mga pamayanan doon. Lumubog ang barko na sand carrier sa Lumintao sa may Rizal. May mga namatay at hindi agad nagbigay tulong ang may ari ng barko,” the representative noted.
Earlier this year, the sand carrier vessel MV Hong Hai 16, which transported materials from the Lumintao River, capsized with reports indicating seven dead and four missing.
Questioning the Purpose Behind Dredging Contracts
The congressman highlighted that if dredging were solely aimed at flood control, it would be more acceptable. However, he pointed out that the materials extracted are being transported to a reclamation project in Manila, which raises questions about the real intentions behind these extensive dredging efforts.
“Mabuti sana kung nililinis lamang ang ilog para hindi magbaha. Ang problema, ang mga nahahakot doon ay dinadala ng mga barko papunta sa isang reclamation project sa Maynila. Kaya pala masyadong agresibo sa dredging na naging mapaminsala na,” he added.
Reports indicate that permits have been granted not only for dredging in Lumintao, Pagbahan, and Amnay rivers but also for Baclaran River between Sta. Cruz and Mamburao. Applications are pending for dredging in Biga River in Sablayan, Busuanga River in San Jose, and Tubili River in Paluan.
Balancing Development and Environmental Protection
The representative questioned the necessity of all these dredging projects. He asked, “Ang tanong ngayon ay kailangan ba talaga ang lahat ng mga dredging na ito para hindi magbaha? Or kailangan lang ng mas maraming pagkukunan ng panambak? Higit sa lahat, willing ba tayo na maperhuwisyo para sa isang reclamation project na hindi naman papapakinabangan ng mga taga Oksi?”
Regarding the Supreme Court’s decision, he emphasized that environmental protection must come first. “With all due respect to our Supreme Court, environmental protection should be paramount. Also, the will of the people who would be directly and adversely affected, as expressed in the passage of the ordinance imposing moratorium against mining, should be respected,” he said.
This call for a comprehensive review of dredging contracts highlights the urgent need to balance infrastructure development with environmental sustainability and community welfare in Occidental Mindoro.
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