THE Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has set the guidelines on all river-dredging activities for flood-control projects and quarrying.
Under an order released recently, project sites will be required to undergo a series of soil investigation, which includes actual on-set bathymetric, topographic and hydrographic surveys, to avoid ecological damage from quarrying.
Proper soil investigation and analysis should also be undertaken to prevent changes in stream morphology.
Clearances, such as Certificate of Non-Coverage or Environmental Compliance Certificate, are, likewise, required to be secured, the order read.
“Detailed dredging plan and design report must, likewise, be submitted to the concerned DPWH offices in accordance with its delegated authorities issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources [DENR],” the order reads.
“Further, the projects should comply with the existing rules and regulations of Water Code of the Philippines and Philippine Mining Act of 1995, among others before the approval of works,” it added. The DPWH Project Management Office and all regional and district offices are directed to comply in order to ensure that the waterways’ morphology across the country will not be compromised with the operations.
Local governments are also encouraged to comply with the DENR and DPWH guidelines before proceeding with quarrying operations on rivers and waterways.
“We have to implement our flood-control projects in a way that we can achieve positive impact and prevent damage to the environment,” Public Works Secretary Rogelio L. Singson said.