The Department of Environment and Natural Resources has begun the second phase rehabilitation of the Marikina River in Marikina City.
Secretary Roy Cimatu, Task Force Build Back Better , said the second phase of the river dredging project aimed to fully improve Marikina River’s water flow and mitigate the risk of floods during extreme weather events.
“With the dredging operations, we can expect the water to subside faster should another flooding occur. The continuous dredging and widening of the river will help minimize flooding,” he said.
“Once phase 2 of this project is completed, I am confident that waterways will be restored to their original width and legal easements will be recovered resulting in safer and more resilient communities against the effects of climate change,” he added.
The government’s “build back better” drive continues with the commencement of the second phase of dredging operations in the portion of the Marikina River that passes through Barangay Santolan in Pasig City.
Cimatu assured that no households in the Pasig City’s portion of Marikina River would be affected by the dredging operations.
“During our meeting with Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto, it was made clear that other than the multi-purpose building under the Ortigas bridge, no houses will be affected by the project,” he vowed.
The DENR chief said the task force would meet with the officials of the Quezon City government to discuss the possible impact of the dredging activities on the informal settler families residing within the dredging area, and the resettlement process for those to be affected by the operations.
He acknowledged Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary and TF BBB co-chair Mark Villar for providing the dredging equipment for Marikina River and other priority areas.