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Oriental Mindoro Gov. defends dredging in Balete River amid criticims on lack of consultation, possible environmental impact

Dennis Datu

ABS-CBN News

ORIENTAL MINDORO — ﻿Oriental Mindoro Gov. Humerlito “Bonz” Dolor, along with representatives of the government of and the company authorized to conduct dredging in the Balete River in the town of Gloria, faced residents who opposed the project, believing it was actually a sand mining operation. Joining the public consultation were representatives from Southern Concrete Industries (SCI), the proponent of the dredging project, along with officials from the regional offices of DENR, Department of Public Works and Highways, Environmental Management Bureau and Mines and Geosciences Bureau.In addressing the opposing residents, Gov. Dolor explained the importance of dredging the Balete River to prevent flooding—an issue that has long plagued Oriental Mindoro.According to the governor, the mouth of the Balete River is now clogged and needs to be deepened.He said seven kilometers of the river need to be cleared of accumulated sand to allow water to flow properly into the sea.However, residents of Barangay Balete expressed concern during the public consultation that dredging might damage the fish sanctuary and mangrove forests, which could negatively affect their sources of livelihood.“Hindi ako napayag dahil ang ating fish sanctuary sa bayan ng Gloria ay dalawang beses nanalo at nagchampion sa Pilipinas, masisira na yan,” said Rodelio Lambuloto, a Bantay Dagat member.(I will not consent because our fish sanctuary has twice won awards and it will be destroyed)“Ang alam ko po sa batas, pumutol ka ng isang bakawan, malaki po ang magiging kaso mo pero yung pagkuha ng buhangin at mapipinsala ang puno ng bakawan yun po ba ay OK na lang sa inyo?” asked Diomedes Mosquera, former barangay chairman.(From what I know, cutting down mangroves carries a heavy penalty. But how come dredging, which will damage the mangroves is OK?)Fisherfolk also expressed fears that the noise from dredging vessels could drive fish away.But Governor Dolor assured the public that the provincial government, in partnership with Southern Concrete Industries, is preparing alternative livelihood programs during the six-month dredging operation.“Huwag kayo mag-ala-ala tutulungan naming ho lahat ng anak ninyo na nag-aaral ng kolehiyo bibigyan natin ng scholarship,” the governor guaranteed.(Don&#x27;t worry, we will help all your children go to college, they will get scholarships)The dredging issue in Oriental Mindoro became a hot topic just weeks before the elections after SCI conducted test dredging.Residents suspected the activity was actually sand mining.Oriental Mindoro currently has a moratorium on large-scale mining.However, the Environmental Management Bureau-Mimaropa and the Mines and Geosciences Bureau-Mimaropa clarified that dredging and sand mining are different activities.Dredging is a form of quarrying, where materials like stones and sand are taken from the bottoms of rivers for construction and engineering purposes.Mining, on the other hand, involves extracting mineral resources with potential economic value.They explained that extracting sand from the Balete River cannot be considered mining because the sand there is ordinary and only suitable for backfilling.﻿SCI also clarified that only 1.8 million cubic meters of sand will be extracted from the river, not 38 million cubic meters as some residents fear.SCI acknowledged that the sand to be extracted from the Balete River will be transported to the airport construction site in Bulacan.<div> </div><div>DREDGING PROJECT HAS PERMITS</div>Both the provincial government and SCI asserted that the planned dredging in the Balete River underwent thorough studies and has obtained all the necessary permits.“Mayroon po kami environmental compliance certificate na nakuha po namin this year, mayroon po kami dredging clearance, mayroon kaming trader&#x27;s accreditation, notice to proceed at marami pang iba,” said Engr. Bryan Buenaventura, SCI’s project coordinator.(We have an environmental compliance certificate, we have dredging clearance, trader&#x27;s accreditation, a notice to proceed and many more documents)Gov. Dolor said the project went through a thorough study by the MGB.“Ibig sabihin, bago tayo dumating sa araw na ito napakahaba ng pinag-daanan.”(What I&#x27;m saying is this project went through a lot of processes) He also said that several public consultations have already been held for the dredging project, but these were poorly attended.The governor emphasized that the project has been approved through resolutions by the barangay council, municipal council, and provincial council.Some residents have expressed support for the dredging project, stating that the damage shown by opponents along the coastline had already existed even before the test dredging was conducted.Governor Dolor said that dredging will also be conducted in seven other rivers across Oriental Mindoro to finally address the decades-long flooding issue. According to Dolor, the application for dredging in the Balete River in the town of Gloria was the first to be approved by national agencies, but dredging will also follow in the rivers of the town of Baco, which is one of the areas frequently submerged in floods.The governor reiterated that the dredging is legal and will continue to resolve flooding, but he also gave assurance that if any negative environmental impact arises, he will immediately halt the project.He appealed to the public to give river dredging a chance.

Residents of Barangay Balete expressed concern during the public consultation, fearing that dredging might damage the fish sanctuary and mangrove forests, which could negatively affect their sources of livelihood.

Residents of Barangay Balete expressed concern during the public consultation, fearing that dredging might damage the fish sanctuary and mangrove forests, which could negatively affect their sources of livelihood.

Oriental Mindoro Gov. defends dredging in Balete River

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Oriental Mindoro Gov. defends dredging in Balete River

Dennis Datu,

ABS-CBN News

Published June 21, 2025 04:06 PM PHT

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