Militant solons comprising the Makabayan bloc intend to pursue in the upcoming 20th Congress an investigation on the controversial Chinese-led dredging operations in the Cagayan River.

Essentially, Makabayan will refile House Resolution (HR) No.2278, which raised concerns over the environmental and economic impact of such dredging, which has severely affected the livelihood of local fishermen.

The resolution was filed on May 6, 2025, during the tail end of the 19th Congress. It was referred to the Committee on Rules on June 2, when the House of Representatives resumed sessions following the 2025 mid-term elections.

It remained pending there until the 19th Congress adjourned sine die on June 11, which meant that no inquiry was ever scheduled.

ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro, Gabriela Party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas, and Kabataan Party-list Rep. Raoul Manuel served as the filers. In the 20th Congress, Makabayan will be composed of incoming ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio and incoming Kabataan Party-list Rep. Renee Co.

The measure urges the appropriate House committee to conduct an inquiry into the operations of Chinese firms accused of engaging in “environmentally destructive and exploitative activities.

As a central case, the Makabayan referred to the so-called Cagayan River Restoration Project, launched in 2021 under then-presudent Rodrigo Duterte.

The project, which involved large-scale dredging by Chinese firms, has been linked to the collapse of local fisheries and widespread ecological damage in coastal towns, particularly Aparri.

As per HR No.2278, small fisherfolk in the area have seen their daily earnings plummet. There has also been the persistent claim from local environment watchdogs that the dredging was all a front for black sand (magnetite) extraction, and not for genuine river rehabilitation. 

Makabayan said these concerns were reportedly ignored during the project’s approval, despite strong opposition from affected communities.

“While the dredging was suspended in 2023, its ecological aftermath continues to cripple the livelihoods of coastal communities, with no substantial rehabilitation or compensation provided to date,” the resolution stated.

The resolution also links the Cagayan project to a broader pattern of environmentally harmful ventures involving Chinese firms across the Philippines. 

The Makabayan solons had sought the probe in a bid to prevent “further exploitation by foreign corporate interests operating with impunity.

“There is an urgent need to uphold national patrimony over our natural resources and prevent further exploitation by foreign corporate interests operating with impunity,” they reckoned.