Considering the importance of local waterways, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Rogelio L. Singson issued Department Order No. 139, Series of 2014 setting the guidelines on all river dredging activities for flood-control projects and quarrying purposes.
“ We have to implement our flood-control projects in a way that we can achieve positive impact and prevent damage to the environment ,” said Singson .
To avoid ecological damage from quarrying activities, project sites shall be required to undergo series of soil investigation, which includes actual on-set bathymetric, topographic and hydrographic surveys in accordance with the department’s Design Guidelines Criteria and Standards.
Proper soil investigation and analysis shall also be undertaken to prevent changes in stream morphology. Proper environmental clearances such as Certificate of Non-Coverage (CNC) or Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) shall also be secured.
Detailed dredging plan and design report must be likewise submitted to the concerned DPWH offices in accordance with its delegated authorities issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
Further, projects shall comply with the existing rules and regulations on Water Code of the Philippines and Philippine Mining Act of 1995 among others before the approval of works.
DPWH Project Management Office (PMO), including all regional and district offices are directed to comply in order to ensure that waterways’ morphology across the country will not be compromised with the flood-control projects, dredging and quarrying operations.
Local governments are also encouraged to comply with the DENR and DPWH guidelines before issuing quarrying operations on rivers and waterways.
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Press Release