DENR -WV Partakes in Inter-Agency Meeting for Panay River

Roxas City- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region 6 led by Regional Executive Director Livino B. Duran attended the 1^st Inter-Agency Committee Meeting for the Rationalization of Dredging Activities in the Province of Capiz for CY 2024 at the Office of the Governor, 2F, Capiz Provincial Capitol, Roxas City on May 9, 2024.

Gov. Fredenil H. Castro presided over the meeting that was also joined by Ronald Allan F. Cullo, EnP – PGADH/Acting, Capiz Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer (CaPENRO), Engr. Jose Al V. Fruto of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Region 6, PENR Officer Vicente A. Sardina of PENRO Capiz, OIC-CENR Officer Gregoria Alenaje of CENRO Mambusao with SvEMS/Deputy CENRO Mambusao Rodrigo D. Diego, Jr., PEMU, Capiz Julian Amador, Jr., Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), as well as other personnel from DENR 6, DPWH 6, CaPENRO, and the Provincial Government of Capiz.

Gov. Castro highlighted the importance of the dredging activity, saying that low-lying communities prone to flooding will greatly benefit from the project comes the rainy season.

During the said meeting, the IAC approved KYRO Builders Inc. to dredge the Pontevedra-Agbalo River and Tinagong-Dagat Inlet of the Panay River System.

RED Duran enjoined the technical working committee to fast-track the processing of mandatory documentary requirements which include the Environmental Impact Assessment, Area Clearance to be issued by the DPWH, Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between DENR and the Contractor, Mineral Assessment by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) by the EMB, and the Permit to Operate to be given by the Honorable Governor. He also vowed on behalf of the DENR 6 to render assistance to the Provincial Government of Capiz to expedite processes and pave way for the smooth implementation of the project.

“Projects like these serve as our mitigation and adaptation to the different natural calamities that are likely to occur. Thus, it is essential that all concerned government agencies work together for the benefit of the people. But while we need to hasten up things, the environment must still be of paramount importance, we need to strike a balance in everything that we do,” RED Duran said. /DENR 6