Progressive fisherfolk group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) has urged the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to probe the dredging activities in Aparri, Cagayan, citing its adverse effects on the livelihoods of local fishers.
“Nakakabahala ang natanggap naming ulat kaugnay sa pagbagsak ng kita ng mga mangingisda sa Aparri, Cagayan, dahil sa dredging. Tiyak na paiimbestigahan namin ito at idudulog sa mga kinauukulang ahensya tulad ng DENR (The report we received regarding the drop in income of fishermen in Aparri, Cagayan, due to dredging is disturbing. We will certainly investigate this and refer it to the concerned agencies like the DENR),”Ronnel Arambulo, the vice chairperson of Pamalakaya, told the Manila Bulletin on Saturday, Nov. 23.
“Mariin naming tinututulan ang anumang proyekto na nakakapinsala sa kabuhayan ng mga mangingisda at kanilang pangisdaan, lalo na ang mga mapanirang dredging (We strongly oppose any project that harms the livelihood of fishermen and their fisheries, especially destructive dredging),” he went on.
The fishers’ group raised concerns over reports of significant income losses among fishers in Aparri due to dredging activities, which they claim also pose threats to biodiversity and natural resources in the area.
Also, Pamalakaya urged fisherfolk and environmental advocates in Cagayan to unite against the dredging activities and to hold accountable the companies involved.
“Nananawagan kami sa mga mangingisda at makakalikasan sa lalawigan ng Cagayan na magkaisa at tutulan ang dredging sa Aparri (We call on fishermen and environmentalists in the province of Cagayan to unite and oppose the dredging in Aparri) ,” Arambulo said.
On Friday, Nov. 21, Cagayan Fisherfolk Association (CFA) has expressed concern over the sharp decline in aramang (soft-shelled shrimp) catches in the Aparri River, attributing the drop to ongoing dredging activities that they claim are disrupting livelihoods and damaging the river’s ecosystem.
Aramang, a key source of income for many small-scale fishers in the region, is typically plentiful during peak seasons. However, local fishers report that their haul has drastically decreased since dredging operations began under a government flood control and river rehabilitation initiative.
CFA noted that dredging activities have disturbed the natural habitat of aramang and other aquatic species. Also, the fishers’ group raised concerns that the removal of sand and silt from the riverbed has made it less suitable for spawning.
Fishers further pointed out that recent typhoons have compounded the problem, reducing aramang populations even further.
The daily catch of local fishers, which used to average around 200 kilos, has now dwindled to just three kilos since dredging operations began, the group noted.
The Aparri River dredging project, launched in 2023, seeks to mitigate flooding in low-lying areas and enhance navigability by deepening the river channel.