Department of Transportation Secretary, Arthur Tugade, joined Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary, Roy Cimatu, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary, Mark Villar, and Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary, Silvestre Bello III, in launching the Cagayan River Restoration project in Lal-lo, Cagayan on Tuesday, 2 February 2021.
Commenting the latest news, Cimatu said that the restoration of the Cagayan River will not only entail dredging and desilting of the river but it includes watershed management as well as building of resilient shelter and settlement, and providing livelihood to the affected communities.
“The President himself approved the widening of the Magapit Narrows and the removal of 19 sandbars in the Cagayan River. Our government is taking this matter seriously,” Cimatu said.
Villar, on his part as the co-chair of the task force, added that they have already deployed the needed dredging equipment in the different strategic sites that are identified priority for the dredging activities.
Also, he said that the DPWH allotted funds for the fuel and other expenses that will be needed to pursue with the dredging activities.
Governor Manuel N. Mamba expressed his gratitude to the national government agencies that realized the long overdue dream of the people of Cagayan to restore the glory of the mighty Cagayan River.
“It is time for Cagayan and Cagayan Valley to regain its place to the worldwide trade. This is the right thing that we should do. This is a long long long dream of every Cagayano,” Mamba said.
Engineer Jerry Fano of DPWH central office also added that the 19 sandbars that will be dredged are located in the towns of Aparri, Calamaniugan, Lallo, Gattaran, Sto Nino, Alcala, Amulung, Iguig, Solana, Enrile and Tuguegarao City.