PGIN leads launch of Padsan River restoration

By Dominic B. dela Cruz (Staff Reporter)

Laoag City—In a move to help avoid future wide-scale flooding in the province and with the effect of typhoon Ineng in 2019 still fresh on everyone’s minds, the provincial government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN) along with four government agencies officially launched Phase 1 of the Padsan River Restoration Project through a ceremonial dredging in Metro Gabu, this city, on Dec. 15, 2022.

PGIN, through the Provincial Quarry Office, has been collaborating with the Depts. of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and DENR’s Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) and Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), as well as the official contractor, He Sha Prime Sand & Gravel Aggregates Philippines Inc., to conduct vital research, studies, and campaigns for the project.

Present during the ceremonial dredging were Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Joseph M. Manotoc, Ilocos Norte Vice Governor Cecilia Araneta-Marcos, regional directors of DENR Atty. Crizaldy M. Barcelo, DPWH Engr. Mathias L. Malenab, MGB Socrates G. Gaerlan, EMB Ma. Dorica N. Hioe, officials of He Sha headed by their president, Ignacio Richie Balicanta IV, Laoag Mayor Michael M. Keon, and other Laoag City government officials.

"Ang takeaway po noon ay grabe daw ang baha sa Laoag. Hindi [raw] ganito dati. Never nag-flood ang Laoag ng ganito. So, we really took it upon ourselves to try to find a solution. Bilang local chief executives, our primary mandate is to ensure the safety, peace, and order, of course, of all of our constituents and our dear kakailian," Manotoc said during the ceremony.

This project aims to rehabilitate the province's longest river, with a total length of 73.10 kilometers and a river valley of 1,320 square kilometers, which runs through the towns of Dingras, Sarrat, San Nicolas, and Laoag City.

It also intends to prevent siltation, which reduces the river's ability to carry floodwaters and provides more opportunities to local populations through sand extraction.

The dredging contractor is expected to restore the natural flow of the Padsan River in accordance with Joint Memorandum Circular 1, Series of 2019, DENR Administrative Order (DAO) 2020-07, related implementing rules and regulations prescribed by the inter-agency committee, and the Ilocos Norte government's Revised Provincial Revenue Code of 2020.

Following the grant of a three-year River Restoration Permit 2022-RR-01 from December 15, 2022, to December 14, 2025, HE SHA Prime Sand and Gravel Aggregates Philippines Inc. has begun deploying its dredging equipment at the mouth of the Padsan River in Metro Gabu.

Manotoc also promised to compensate all residents affected by the river dredging project in 15 barangays as well as ensured that he and the other collaborating agencies fulfill their responsibilities.

Meanwhile, Keon also reiterated that the idea for the said project was raised and formulated during the onslaught of typhoon Ineng in 2019, which brought heavy rainfall that resulted in severe flooding.

He added that it was only during that time that Laoag experienced “extreme flooding” that led to a billion pesos of damages to agriculture and infrastructure to the city.

“This devastation paved the way for various stakeholders to call and push for the dredging project in an effort to desilt and rehabilitate the river in order to prevent severe flooding in the future and most importantly to save live and properties,” Keon noted.

“Sapay kuma ta agballigi daytoy a proyekto tapnu mapatalged iti Padsan River a proyekto ken maliklikan to alisto a panagngato iti danum no tiempo iti bagyo a rason iti nakaro a panaglayos,” Keon ended in his speech. (With a report from Mariell Pahinag)