- MITCH M. LIPA
In an effort of finding solutions to the recent floods in the Third District, Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson has formed an inter-agency committee to discuss the proposal of a private company to dredge major rivers in E.B. Magalona town.
The body is composed of the Department of the Environment and Natural Resources-Mines and Geo Sciences Bureau, Department of Public Works and Highways, the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the Province of Negros Occidental.
Lacson said the idea was proposed under a memorandum order of the DENR in 2020 rationalizing dredging activities in heavily silted rivers, which the agency passed on to the local government to tap a private company to conduct the activity.
A private firm, TeraDev Corporation, submitted the proposal to conduct the dredging activity in three major rivers of Indang, Malogo and Madalag in the town of E.B. Magalona.
The governor wanted to see the entire plan and the content of the agreement that maybe applicable also to other LGUs with silted rivers particularly in other cities of the Third District.
Under the guidelines there shall be no expense on the part of the local government and the proponent will have to spend for their equipment for the massive dredging.
Lacson said in exchange, the company will have the right to trade the excavated materials.
Since there is a commercial value to it, the inter-agency group wants to discuss in the next meeting the fair share between the proponent and the local government after all expenses of the company.
DENR Assistant Regional Director Levino Duran asked the proponent to submit a map of the plan as well as details as to the width, length, depth and the volume of materials to be extracted.
Duran said the operation permit will be issued by the provincial government but prior to that there should be a memorandum of agreement with the DENR-Western Visayas Regional Office.
The permittee has the authority to dispose of and accredit for trade and transport of the excavated materials.
Lacson said he also expects the DPWH presentation of master plan in the next meeting since the agency also studied the same concern.
The province will be the one to give the notice of award and issue the notice to proceed with concurrence of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.
The governor said he believes a monitoring team will be included in the setup that will involve the local government of E.B. Magalona and the barangay concerned. – MML
