A 12 part series of video links posted in YouTube regarding the public hearing on the channel restoration of the lower Cagayan River as posted and compiled by
Rico Panaga are as follows:
Part 1 |
Part 2 |
Part 3 |
Part 4 |
Part 5 |
Part 6 |
Part 7 |
Part 8 |
Part 9 |
Part 10
Part 11 (bad link error - video is too long) |
Part 12
The municipality of Aparri, Cagayan, Philippines headed by its multi-awarded Mayor Ismael V. Tumaru, MD hosted a public hearing on Channel Restoration and Dredging of Lower Cagayan River conducted by the provincial Government of Cagayan thru the leadership of Governor Alvaro T. Antonio on January 20, 2012 at the Aparri Public Gymnasium.
The forum attended by various stakeholders, community groups from the academe, farmers, fishermen, studentry, professionals, religious, press, NGO’s, NGA’s and delegates from the different towns of Cagayan led by Municipal Mayors and other elected officials focused on the study on the status of lower Cagayan River from Magapit, Lallo to Aparri conducted by Professor Fernando Siringan – a geologist from the Marine Environment and Resources Foundation – Marine Science Institute, University of the Philippines.
Professor Siringan presented the findings of the study through video footages and power point presentation of the present situation of the lower Cagayan River. The findings revealed that the subject area is heavily silted with widening sandbars and large scale erosion along the riverbanks. The presence of sandbars at the middle of the channel and its decreasing depth prevents the smooth flow of water causing immediate and prolonged flooding along its routes to the sea during heavy downpours especially in the upstream of the valley.
To reduce water constriction and to enhance smooth river flow, Professor Siringan strongly recommended the uniform channeling of the river and to deepen its depth through dredging. During the open forum, Professor Siringan clarified that black sand is not a soil binder although it is heavier than ordinary sand contrary to the allegation of some who are apprehensive of the proposed activity due to its possible adverse effect to the riverbank. Instead, “it is the clay that holds soil particles together because of its clay characteristics,” Professor Siringan explained.
Realizing the wisdom of Professor Siringan’s recommendation to dredge and rechannel the Cagayan River, Mayor Isidro T. Cabaddu of Camalaniugan pleaded to Governor Antonio that the activity should be conducted first in their municipality. “The barangays along the riverbank have been heavily eroded causing the evacuation and relocation of scores of houses. The river control of Barangay Sapping had been rebuilt twice and is being threatened again,” Mayor Cabaddu lamented.
On his part, Mayor Tumaru of Aparri challenged those who oppose the project to propose alternative solution to the frequent perennial problem of flooding in the region. “If you could present a credible choice based on scientific studies, then we can sit down and talk about it. But if you cannot, I am appealing to all of you to help us in the monitoring of the activities regarding the proposed Channel Restoration and Dredging of the Lower Cagayan River,” he declared.
Governor Alvaro T. Antonio assured that the proposed activity will be for the good of Cagayan and its people. He also bared that the project is in line with the rehabilitation of the Aparri Port into an international facility. “This will bring progress and development not only to Aparri but the entire province of Cagayan” he said.
