Submitted for the Online Public Hearing

BY
Jamaica Cabaña, Joan Pagulayan, Karen Joyce Felix, Dominic Tumaliuan Jr., Christopher Mesa,
Shane Calimaran, Vince Darisan, Alicon balucay, Hannah Jaenika Agustin & Michael P. Rey
 DREDGING OF CAGAYAN RIVER

I. BACK GROUND

The general policy of the country as enshrined in the Philippine Constitution, Section 16, mentions
that “the State shall protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful
ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature”. Various policy guidelines on land and
water utilization, protection and management, are specifically crafted to create, develop, maintain
and improve conditions under which man and nature can thrive harmoniously to fulfill the social,
economic and other requirements of present and future generations and to ensure the attainment of
an environmental quality that is conducive to a life of dignity and well-being.

The Cagayan River, also known as the Rio Grande de Cagayan, is the longest river and the largest
river by discharge volume of water in the Philippines. The river traverses four provinces: Nueva
Vizcaya, Quirino, Isabela and Cagayan. The Cagayan River and its tributaries are subject to
extensive flooding during the monsoon season in Southeast Asia from May to October. Water from
the mountains flow down very slowly because of surface retention over the extensive flood plain,
the gorges in the gently-sloping mountains and the meandering course of the river.

II. EXECUT1VE SUMMARY

The Province of Cagayan through the different agencies, manages river dredging project for flood
control in various inland waterways throughout the Cagayan. The dredging project plays critical
role in flood control and in maintaining the navigability of some rivers as well.

In December 2014, the Department of public works and highways issued a Department Order,
D.O. No. 139, "Guidelines on River Dredging Operations for Flood Control", to set the guidelines
and requirements for the approval of request for dredging operations. Among the requirements of
D.O. 139 are: pre-dredging bathymetric, hydrographic and topographic survey; soil investigation;
environmental clearances; design and related reports; plan; and standard requirements.

In compliance with requirement of the above-mentioned Department Order, the Province of

Cagayan, through and with the approval of concerned agencies, developed a plan to be used as
guide for the implementation of the dredging project. This plan provides the objective and scope
of work for the project, detailed information about the project and the methodology to be
employed. Maps showing the location of the dredging area and the spoil site are presented in this
plan. The appropriate dredging methodology is determined from the results of surveys and site
investigation. The proper equipment to be used is identified and the duration of the project is
estimated based on the scope of the project and the capacity of the equipment.

During dredging operations, the natural environment is disturbed, water turbidity and PH level
may rise, dissolved oxygen may fall. This dredging plan provides an overview of the
environmental impacts of dredging operations and the monitoring procedures to assess the impacts
of the operation in order to take the necessary control measures.

On the operational side, dredge personnel are exposed to a multitude of risks and hazards. The
dredging plan lists the minimum required personnel protective equipment to protect the dredge
personnel against hazard sand risks associated with the dredging operation. Likewise, the plan
cites the On-Board Dredge and Dredge Operations Safety Manual as the guidelines for safety
enforcement on board and on site during the operation.

To effectively schedule the activities related to the dredging operation, a Gantt chart was developed
and presented in the dredging plan. Through proper scheduling of activities, the project will be
completed on time and losses will be minimized.

III. RELATED LAWS

Department Order No. 139, Series of 2014

Considering the importance of our waterways, Department of Public Works and Highways
(DPWH) Secretary Rogelio L. Singson issued Department Order No. 139, Series of 2014 to set
guidelines on all river dredging activities for flood-control projects and quarrying purposes.

The project/s shall comply with the existing rules and regulations of Water Code of the Philippines
and Philippine Mining Act of 1995 among others before the approval of works.

Department Order No. 07, Series of 2016

These guidelines shall aid the concerned personnel in the preparation of all requirements under the
said Department Order, particularly the Dredging Plan. Lastly, the Policies and Guidelines
prescribe the constitution of a Dredging Program Management Team which shall oversee the
implementation of all dredging projects and make sure that they are conducted in compliance with
the provisions of these Policies and Guidelines. The Team and all heads of concerned offices shall
see to it that this order is strictly enforced. Failure to do so shall, after due process, make the erring
personnel liable to penalties for violation of reasonable office rules and regulations prescribed
under Section 52, C (3) of Civil Service Resolution No. 991936 dated August 31, 1999, otherwise
known as the Uniform Rules on Administrative cases in civil service.

This Order is supplementary to Department Order No 139 Series of 2014 which sets the guidelines
on river dredging operations for flood control.

Memorandum Circular No. 2020-004

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) issued Memorandum Circular No. 2020-004 on June
3, 2020 in re: Clarificatory Guidelines for the Establishment of the Contingent Liability and
Rehabilitation Fund for Dredging Projects/Activities Pursuant to the DPWH-DENR-DILG-DOTR
Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) No. 1 Series of 2019.

The said clarificatory guidelines were issued by MGB pursuant to Article IV, Section 1 of
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Administrative Order (DAO) No.
2020-07 in re: Rationalizing Dredging Activities in Heavily-Silted River Channels Pursuant to
DENR-DPWH-DILG-DOTr JMC No. 1, Series of 2019, wherein all holders of dredging clearance
shall comply with pertinent laws, rules and regulations on environmental protection, the allocation
of funds for environment-related expenditures, environmental impact assessment, and setting up
of the contingent liability and rehabilitation fund among others.
IV. FINANCIAL BACK GROUND

Under this Administrative order (DAO) No. 2020-07, private contractors shall cover all expenses
of dredging operations in river dredging zones (RDZ) to be identified by a provincial inter-agency
committee created under the directive. No funding from the government shall be made for the
conduct of dredging activities by the private sector. Holders of dredging clearance shall provide
the financing, technology, management, and personnel necessary to implement dredging activities
within the exclusive RDZ.

Under the DAO, only duly registered companies with technical and financial capabilities to
undertake large-scale flood control dredging and desilting operations may apply for a dredging
clearance with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). The private contractor
will have to shoulder all the expenses of the dredging operation in exchange for whatever minerals
it may recover, provided it pays the required national and local taxes.

V. POTENTIAL ISSUE

1. The dredging operations to conduct black sand mining operations along Cagayan River in
Aparri, Cagayan.

VI. SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL STUDY

Issue on black sand mining

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) reported that the ore being dredged and extracted from
river de-clogging and dredging operations are have “no commercial value” and can’t be used for
commercial purposes. The dredging and de-clogging operations in Cagayan River is in preparation
over government plan of reviving the Port of Aparri. The Marine Environment and Resources
Foundation-Marine Science Institute of the University of the Philippines also clarified that sand
per se is not a binding material but the mud present in it. On contrary, the private contractor will
pay required national and local taxes in connection to whatever minerals it may recover during the
dredging operations.

Marine Geologist recommends dredging of Cagayan River

A marine geologist from the University of the Philippines-Diliman, Dr.Fernando Siringan, who
conducted a bathymetric study in the lower Cagayan River, has recommended to the provincial
government officials to dredge the silted parts of the river.

Dredging will lessen flooding problem and reduce river bank erosion. The geomorphic study of
the Cagayan River also helps evaluate potential sites for the establishment of a port in the mouth
of the river. In his presentation, the geomorphic changes of the lower part of the river also shows
that a large area is prone to rapid geomorphic changes which is why dredging is very necessary to
remove siltation and to eventually help solve flooding in some parts of the province
 VII. ENVIRONMETAL PLAN

Activities Impact Significance Mitigation and Enhancement

Plan
1. Pre-Dredging operation

1.1 Launching of Cutting down of trees and Significant and

Equipment
1.2 Clearing, grubbing and
earth moving activities
1.3 Accidental spillage of
fuel, oils and lubricants
during transfer and
handling of supplies
2. Dredging Operations
vegetation to clear up the negative
path for the equipment to
pass through
Change in the topography Significant and Properly supervise earth
and land form of the area negative moving activities and keep it at
minimal level
Contamination of water Significant and Established proper storage of
negative fuels, oils and lubricants and
safe system for proper
handling of fuels and supplies

2.1 Clearing, grubbing and
earth moving activities
2.2 Transporting of
dredged soils to designated
spoil yard
2.3 Settling of spoils
2.4 Spillage of fuel and
lubricants during refueling
or transfer of dredging
equipment
2.5 Operating during
heavy rains
2.6 Domestic and human
waste from working crew
3. Post dredging operations
Change in the topography Significant and Dredging shall be regulated
and land form of the area. negative and shall be in the shallow
portions of the river
Accidental spills Temporary and Discharge pipes must be
significant properly maintained
Dredged spoils and silt Temporary and Establish silt traps and settling
may be carried by runoff significant ponds around the dredge spoil
water back into the river yard areas. Construct efficient
system drainage system
Contamination of water Significant and Established proper storage of
negative, regularly fuels, oils and lubricants and
occurring safe system for proper and
careful refueling and
maintenance works.
Extensive erosion Highly significant, If possible, dredging must stop
negative and regularly
occurring
Contamination of water Minimal significant, Practice proper waste
negative and management and proper waste
permanent disposal system

3.1 Demobilization

3.2 Site Restoration Highly significant and Plant trees and vegetation to
permanent replace the ones removed
during the launching and
mobilization of equipment

VIII. SUMMARY

Generally, there are two main reasons:

1. To mitigate the effects of flooding not only for the benefit of the people of Cagayan but also for
others provinces of region 2.

2. To reopen the port of Aparri which has been the major seaport in Luzon in the early years but
was closed due to the siltation of the mouth of the Cagayan River.

Management and Development Plan

A. It is imperative to deepen the current river channel to be able to accommodate more volume
of floodwater, thereby minimizing overflowing of the river that caused flooding and
destruction in the low-lying areas. To increase the river channel capacity and its ability to
 convey runoff water during heavy rains along the meandering channel towards its outlet
at the river’s mouth
B. To reconstruct the Aparri port, it could be a major point of entry seeing potential for
economic progress and development. Cagayano investors should be encourage to go into
the project and part of the income derived from the venture should be earmarked for
environment protection including rehabilitation of the river.

Goal

“Manage water and related resources of the Cagayan River in an effective, sustainable and
equitable manner.”

Restoration of Cagayan River

Cagayan River is one of the major sources of livelihood and an economic driver of the province,
however, siltation in its river bed is now a major concern which creates disaster during rainy
season. Our Cagayan River is a boon in our province. It is a source of livelihood but sometimes it
becomes a bane that we suffer loss of lives, properties and livelihood whenever it swells, especially
during rainy season and typhoons. This is the reason why the Provincial Government of Cagayan
proposed for the conduct of dredging along the Cagayan River to mitigate the effects of flooding
not only for the benefit of the people of Cagayan but also for others provinces of region 2.

References:
https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2014/12/23/dpwh-issues-guidelines-for-dredging-operations/
https://www.dpwh.gov.ph/dpwh/references/issuances/department_order
http://eia.emb.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Revised-Procedural-Manual-DAO-03-30.pdf
https://mgb.gov.ph/2015-05-13-02-02-11/mgb-news/880-mgb-gives-support-on-cagayan-river-dredging
https://www.denr.gov.ph/section-policies/laws.php?filter=type&filterID=1
https://www.dpwh.gov.ph/dpwh/sites/default/files/issuances/DO_31_s2020.pdf
https://r2.denr.gov.ph/index.php/news-events/press-releases/1332-cagayan-river-restoration
https://northluzon.politics.com.ph/no-black-sand-mining-in-cagayan-river-says-private-contractor/