Bicol River dredging works start Tuesday

Dredging works along the narrow section of the 94-kilometer Bicol River will start tomorrow and will be followed by bamboo planting activities in the area and relocation of typhoon-victims, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said yesterday.

The project will complete the government’s goal of widening the country’s major waterways and improving their carrying capacity, especially during typhoon season, DENR Secretary and Task Force Build Back Better chairman Roy Cimatu said.

The task force earlier started dredging the Cagayan and Marikina rivers to improve their width and depth.

Earlier estimates by the Department of Public and Highways (DPWH) showed around 58,235 cubic meters of silt and other materials will be collected from the middle section of the Bicol River.

DENR regional executive director Antonio Abawag said the dredging would focus on the constricted portion of the river in Camaligan town, which is currently 31 meters wide from its original and ideal width of 80 meters.

Dredging works will take 281 days using two amphibious excavators, each with a capacity to collect 17.28 cubic meters per hour of silt, according to DPWH regional assistant director Gerald Pacanan.

The Bicol River ranks eighth among the country's largest rivers in terms of drainage basin size.

It straddles 90 percent of Camarines Sur and Albay, while the rest covers Camarines Norte.

Aside from dredging works, the task force has started stabilizing the riverbank by planting bamboos, Cimatu said.

He said at least 171 property have been identified by the National Housing Authority for the relocation of informal settlers affected by the floods spawned by Typhoons Ulysses and Rolly last year.