LEGAZPI CITY, Albay – Residents and public officials in Paracale town in Camarines Norte province have urged the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to dredge the Paracale River to curb flooding during high tide and avoid stranding of motor boats during low tides.
A MAN disembarks from his banca on the Paracale River in Paracale, Camarines Sur. (Nino Luces)
Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) chief Ricky Manarang said it has been more than 60 years ago when the Paracale River was dredged and as a result, the whole stretch of the river from Poblacion Norte to Casalugan is heavily silted.
During high tide, some residential areas are submerged in seawater while during low tide, motor boats used for fishing and ferrying tourists to Calaguas Island are stranded.
Known as the "Golden Town" of Bicol, fishing is the second source of livelihood for residents aside from mining.
Mayor Romeo Moreno said once the Paracale River was dredged, fishermen will get more income.
"Ang advantage kung bakit gusto naming ma-dredge ‘yung Paracale River is because of the fishermen. Medyo nahihirapan na silang pumasok pag low tide ‘yung kanilang mga bangka dito sa loob. Kaya napag-isipan namin na para naman matulungan itong second priority na hanapbuhay ng aking mga kababayan ay mabigyan ng pansin (We would like the Paracale River dredged to benefit fishermen. They have difficulty entering during low tide. We thought of dredging the river to help our fishermen who rely on the river for their other source of livelihood)," Moreno said.
It will also help the flow of businesses using the river.
"Ang Paracale kasi is the gateway going to Calaguas Island. Pag low tide, hindi rin nagagamit. Lalakad sila dun sa lugar na nakakarating ang bangka. Unlike kung ito ay ma-dredge, diretso na diyan sa may port (Paracale is the gateway to Calaguas Island. Tourists have to walk to where these boats are accessible. If the river is dredged, they will go straight to the port)," Moreno added.
Moreno noted that during tropical cyclones, the Paracale River overflows, causing the entire town center or poblacion to be submerged in floodwater.
"Pag may mga typhoon, ‘yun ‘yung nagko-cause ng flood dito sa sentro ng Paracale. Kailangan talaga itong ma-dredge (The town center is flooded by the river during typhoons. The river needs to be dredged)," he said.
Moreno said the river is too silted due to loose soil from the mountains that surround the business center of the municipality.
"Ang Paracale is a mining town, usually karamihan sa bundok nagkakabod (mining). Ang nangyayari pag umuulan siyempre ‘yung lupa sa bundok nagpo-flow papunta dito sa river namin. Kasi lumalambot, nagagalaw. ‘Yun ‘yung reason kung bakit at ‘yung basura contributor din (Paracale is a mining town. Most of the mountains are being mined. Loose soil from the mountains go down to the river, including garbage),” Moreno said.
Moreno confirmed that public consultations have been conducted in the previous months after resolutions were approved by barangays affected by the river.
Among the barangays affected is Poblacion Norte where mostly residents rely on fishing for a living.
Barangay Captain Allan Borbe said once the river has been dredged, it will help boost their livelihood.
"Ang nais ko lamang po ay mabigyan sila ng karagdagang tulong para ‘yung mga bangka nila o property nila ay maayos ang daungan. Pag nagkakaroon po ng low tide, naawa po ako sa kanila dahil nakatambay lang po sila (I am seeking assistance for the construction of a port. Their boats cannot be used during low tide. I pity them)," Borbe said.