Use of barges in dredging of Dungon Creek urged
The destruction of mangroves along the riverbanks of Sitio Sooc, Bolilao could have been avoided had the contractor of the P50 million Dungon Creek dredging used barges in their operation.
DENR-Community Environment and Natural Resources officer Bernabe Garnace said the contractor could have used a barge to excavate or dredge the riverbank of silt. There should be environmental consideration on the part of the contractor.
The backhoe should have been placed in one barge and the other barge will get the excavated materials. Placing a backhoe in the easement area will destroy the mangrove areas, said Garnace.
The contractor of the Dungon Creek is WT, a Cebu-based construction firm. It was reportedly sub-contracted by the International Builders Corporation (IBC). A backhoe with an imprint of IBC is stationed at Sitio Sooc.
If proper procedures have been made “minimal destruction” was done to the mangrove areas. The environmental destruction is much bigger compared to the commercial value of the damaged mangroves.
In the initial report provided by the DENR to Mayor Jerry Treñas, the cost of damaged mangroves is estimated to P30,000. The damaged mangroves include pagatpat, bungalon, bakhawon and nipa.
Garnace said it is unfortunate the destruction was made. The environmental assessment is still ongoing in the affected mangrove site. What happened is uncalled for, he said.
A technical conference would be called by the environment department to determine the liability of the contractor. All the stakeholders would be called to attend the conference.
The DENR will monitor the compliance of the project implementor in the provisions provided in the issuance of the Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC), said Garnace.