By Betheena Kae Unite The government and a construction firm recently agreed to temporarily dump materials taken from dredging and excavating Lower Marikina River in a 12-hectare lot in Taytay, Rizal. A tripartite memorandum of agreement was signed by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA), and Toyo Construction Company, Ltd. for the “establishment of an ideal backfilling site for materials taken from the dredging and excavations of the banks and waterway of Lower Marikina River.” The dredging and excavation process will be implemented under the DPWH Pasig Marikina River Channel Improvement Project-Phase III. For two years, starting December 2018 to December 2020, the 12-hectare property in Barangay Lupang Arenda in Taytay, Rizal will serve as a backfilling site for materials taken by Toyo Construction, DPWH contractor, from the dredging and excavations for the removal of accumulated massive silt and debris at downstream portion of the Rosario Weir at the Lower Marikina River area. Under the agreement, the LLDA, which has regulatory functions and jurisdiction to the entire Laguna de Bay, has offered the use of the 12-hectare property. LLDA is an attached agency of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. It was also stated in the deal that the backfill average height shall be up to 2.5 meters. The DPWH, for its part, needs to perform strict environmental monitoring during the implementation of backfilling works in compliance with the condition of the approved Environmental Compliance Certificate. Further, prior to hauling and disposal of dredged materials, the DPWH and Toyo Construction need to submit the requirements for the issuance of necessary permits and clearances from LLDA and other appropriate government agencies. The agreement was signed on December 17 by DPWH Undersecretary Emil Sadain, LLDA General Manager Jaime Medina, and Toyo Construction Co. Ltd. Project Manager Kazushige Kishimoto.