APARRI, CAGAYAN – The vessel that residents in Aparri suspected to be a new dredging ship was actually an abandoned vessel, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Cagayan clarified.
In November 2024, the progressive fisherfolk group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) called on the DENR to investigate dredging activities in Aparri, Cagayan, citing their negative impact on the livelihoods of local fishers.
Joselito D. Razon, Community Environment and Natural Resources Officer (CENRO) of Aparri, Cagayan, said no dredging operations were observed in the area during their recent inspection.
“No dredging activities were observed during the ocular inspection. Although there was a parked vessel grounded, kasi nasa gilid na siya ng dagat, ng ilog. But according to the Philippine Ports Authority, iyon po ay nasira at because of the penalties they imposed parang ayaw nang kunin ng may-ari ang vessel na ‘yan so until now, nandoon pa rin ang vessel na iyan (No dredging activities were observed during the ocular inspection. There was a vessel parked and grounded along the riverbank. But according to the Philippine Ports Authority, it was damaged, and due to penalties imposed, the owner seemingly abandoned the vessel, leaving it there until now),” Razon told the Manila Bulletin.
He also emphasized that there are no more dredging vessels in the area.
“Other than that, wala na po kaming vessel (we have no other vessel here),” he said.
Razon reiterated that dredging operations in the Cagayan River ceased in 2023.
“Wala nang dredging operation dito Cagayan River, 2023 pa (There have been no dredging operations in the Cagayan River since 2023).”
This was affirmed by the Provincial Government of Cagayan and the Philippine Ports Authority.
Typhoons, fishing ban, overfishing
The declining catch of aramang (soft-shelled shrimp) in Aparri has been attributed to multiple factors, including natural calamities, government-imposed fishing regulations, and overfishing.
“So the fisherfolk association confirmed that the implementation of the closed fishing season may have affected their catch (So the fisherfolk association confirmed that the implementation of the closed fishing season may have affected their catch),” said Razon.
As such, he said that last year’s decline in aramang harvest was also linked to series typhoons that lingered and devastated Aparri.
“Last year, actually, one of the cause na walang aramang catch last year is because of the series of typhoons that hit the municipality of Aparri so walang gaanong nakapaglayag para mamakuha ng aramang (Last year, one of the reasons for the low aramang catch was the series of typhoons that hit Aparri, preventing many fishers from going out to sea),” he said.
The Municipal Government of Aparri said that that seven typhoons struck the province in 2024, further disrupting fishing activities.
Meanwhile, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) pointed to overfishing as another major factor contributing to the dwindling number of aramang in Cagayan River.
DENR backs scientific study on dredging’s effects
DENR Cagayan Regional Executive Director (RED) Gwendolyn Bambalan said that Environment Secretary Maria Antonia “Toni” Yulo-Loyzaga has ordered them to conduct a scientific study on the effects of dredging in the Cagayan River.
Should the empirical study pushes through, she said the environment department will partner with Cagayan State University to conduct the research.
“Aabot ng six months ang study (The study will take six months),” Bambalan said.
The findings of the study, according to her, could be applied to similar river restoration efforts nationwide.
“Whatever is the result sana ng study na ‘yan may be applied in other restoration effort ng big rivers (Whatever the results of that study are, we hope they can be applied in other restoration efforts for major rivers),” he went on.
Bambalan said the study aims to answer key questions on governance and environmental impact.
“First, it can be replicated number one as to the governance mechanism; is it appropriate to engage a private partner? Pangalawa is ‘yung effect sa ecosystem sa river kasi nga sinasabi nila mabubulabog, but there was also a claim na initially mabubulabog ang beds pero eventually later it will be improved na. Why? Wala nang silt, eh (First, it can be replicated in terms of governance mechanisms—should a private partner be engaged? Second, the impact on the river ecosystem is being debated. Some say dredging disturbs the riverbed, but others claim that while it is initially disrupted, it eventually improves because there is no more silt),” she explained.
When asked whether dredging operations in Cagayan River would resume, Bambalan said this decision rests with the DENR Central Office.
“Well, it depends sa DENR, kasi ako, I will not decide as [up to the] Central Office. Pero ang point ni Secretary, kapag walang assessment, wala! Kasi, basis for us to say na dredging is really helpful, ‘yun lang naman ‘yung sa kanya . Alam mo naman si Secretary Loyzaga, evidence based ‘yan e, Science-based (“Well, it depends on the DENR because I will not decide—that is up to the Central Office. But the point of the Secretary is that without an assessment, nothing will proceed! Because we need a basis to say that dredging is really helpful—that’s her only concern. You know Secretary Loyzaga, she is evidence-based and follows science),” she said.
Dredging, flood control efforts in Cagayan River
The DENR Regional Office in Cagayan noted significant progress in the dredging operations along the Cagayan River, a critical component of the Build Back Better Task Force aimed at mitigating flooding in the region.
It reported that dredging operations in Bangag, Lal-lo, have exceeded targets, with 536,944.50 cubic meters of sand removed as of January 2025—222 percent more than the original target of 166,480.76 cubic meters.
Such materials, the DENR said, were repurposed to elevate flood-prone areas, including schools.
This initiative followed the devastation of Typhoon Ulysses in 2020, prompting President Duterte to sign Executive Order No. 120, which strengthened rehabilitation and recovery efforts for typhoon-affected areas.
Meanwhile, the Cagayan Valley Regional Development Council has identified priority dredging sites in Lal-lo, Gattaran, Alcala, Amulung, and Solana.
The Cagayan River Restoration Program was launched in Magapit Narrows, Lal-lo, on Feb. 2, 2021, with the participation of key government officials.
Fishers, local government oppose dredging
Despite government efforts, many Aparri fishers maintain that dredging has negatively impacted the aramang population, leading to a significant decline in their catch.
The local government of Aparri has also taken a firm stance against dredging, citing its adverse effects on the fishing industry.
Ricardo Umuso, chairperson of the Aramang Fisherfolk Association (AFA), asserted that dredging activities had a significant impact on their aramang catch.
“Talagang malaki ang epekto ng dredging . Kasi noong nag-dredging sila noong 2023, nasubukan naming maghuli ng aramang, wala po kaming mahuli talaga (Dredging really had a huge impact. Because when they conducted dredging in 2023, we tried to catch aramang, but we couldn’t catch anything at all),” he said.
In response to these concerns, the Sangguniang Bayan of Aparri, Cagayan passed Resolution No. 2023-159 in 2023, urgently requesting the DENR Regional Office 2 and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Regional Office 2 to issue a Temporary Cease and Desist Order against the dredging company operating in the Cagayan River.
The resolution was prompted by complaints from fisherfolk, whose fish nets were destroyed by dredging ships, significantly affecting their livelihood.
Fisherfolk demanded compensation for their damaged nets to allow them to resume fishing, their primary source of income.
After deliberation, the Sangguniang Bayan formally requested DENR and DPWH to halt dredging activities in Aparri, Cagayan. The resolution was officially adopted on August 14, 2023, during the 33rd Regular Session at the Legislative Building of Aparri, Cagayan.
Aparri, known for its Aramang Festival, has a deep cultural and economic connection to this shrimp species, making the dredging debate a critical concern for local communities.