The Department of Public Works and Highways regional office (DPWH-11) has started the dredging of the heavily silted portions of Agusan, Batoto, Ngan and Agibawa rivers in Compostela town, Compostela Valley (Comval) province.
The local government of Comval, led by Congresswoman Maricar Zamora and DPWH-11 Regional Director Engr. Mariano R. Alquiza, was present during the project launching.
The ceremony was also attended by Vice Governor Manuel “Way Kurat” Zamora representing Gov. Arturo Uy, Mayor Lema Bolo of Compostela Town, Engr. Lorenzo Yumang, Equipment Management Division Chief of DPWH 11 and District Engineer Joselito Caballero of DPWH-11 Comval District Engineering Office.
The Watermaster Dredger, capable of siphoning 75 cu. m. of sand and gravel per hour or about 450 cu. m. per day, was made available to the local government by DPWH Secretary Rogelio L. Singson as requested by Congresswoman Zamora.
According to Alquiza, the local government will help fund the expenses of the dredging operation for the third largest river basin in the Philippines. For its initial stage of operations, the DPWH-11 will provide the equipment (dredger) and crew and the local government will put up an initial Php2 million for fuel and other expenses.
Engr. Yumang estimated that for the 9 kilometer span, the provincial government will spend about Php16 million.
Alquiza added that the dredging or desilting has become a necessity to prevent floodings.
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Press Release