Makabayan solons have formally sought a House inquiry on the Chinese-led dredging operations in the Cagayan River, citing its environmental and economic impact that have severely affected the livelihood of local fishermen.
Filing House Resolution (HR) No. 2278 for this purpose were ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro, Gabriela Party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas, and Kabataan Party-list Rep. Raoul Manuel.
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".
The militant solons were referring to the so-called Cagayan River Restoration Project, launched in 2021 under the Duterte administration, as a central case.
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.
“Daily earnings reportedly dropped from P7,000–P9,000 to as low as P900,” the resolution stated, underscoring the severe economic losses faced by small fisherfolk.
Local watchdogs and fisherfolk organizations, including PAMALAKAYA, have warned that the operations served more as a front for black sand (magnetite) extraction than genuine river rehabilitation.
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 connects the Cagayan project to a broader pattern of environmentally harmful ventures involving Chinese firms across the Philippines.
The Makabayan solons sought legislative action 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,” the lawmakers stressed.