Dungon and Calajunan creeks up for dredging

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Two Iloilo River tributaries, the Dungon and Calajunan Creeks, will be given top priority for dredging and clean-up using the Water Master dredging machine bought for that purpose by the Department of Public Works and Highways.

Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog assured that the development on the Dungon Creek and Calajunan Creek and the plan to dredge the creeks spanning more than 13 combined kilometers shall be done as soon as possible as the dredging machine arrives will arrive on September 25, 2012.

According to the Environmental Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, fecal coliform concentration in both Dungon and Calajunan creeks has greater levels at present as compared to the previous years. Both creeks were also reported to have very low dissolved oxygen.

Mabilog said it was recommended during the Iloilo River Development Council (IRDC) meeting this month to draft an action plan regarding the river tributaries. This include continuous dredging operations to reduce the river stagnation, sustain regular clean-up of waterways by involving the community to reduce pollution, stricter implementation of the solid waste management program, crackdown on coliform contributors, and monitoring of waste water contribution from the public market in Jaro.

Similarly, some 1,000 families of informal settlers along the two creeks will be provided with relocation sites. Already under construction are houses for relocated families at the 5.6 hectare Lanit relocation site in Jaro and at the 3-hectare lot in Sooc, Arevalo.

Senator Franklin M. Drilon also assured financial assistance to the rehabilitation of Dungon Creek through a budget allocation in 2013. The city dumpsite in Calajunan will also be converted into a sanitary landfill.

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