Gov. Gwen Garcia is expected to issue a special permit in the coming days to desilt Mangitngit and Luyang rivers in the town of Carmen and so maximize the water production of these important water sources.
These rivers supply 35 million liters of water daily to Metro Cebu through the Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD). But reports have reached the governor that Luyang River is drying up because of the El Niño, and its supply might dwindle in the coming weeks.
In a meeting with Engr. Mary Ann Bueno of the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), the governor learned that Carmen’s rivers are still able to deliver the expected 35 MLD, but due to the prolonged drought, measures must be made to maximize water production.
By clearing the river bed of obstructions such as boulders and silt (or that fine sand, soil, or mud which is carried along by a river), water could flow more freely and stagnant pools shall be avoided.
“Ang Luyang, kusog gyod gihapon na siya in normal times. Unya karon, tan-aw nato tungod lang siguro sa profile sa iyang river mao na nga nagpundo-pundo siya, unya wala kaayo siya ma-maximize,” said Engr. Rey Marinas, chief of the provincial waterworks division.
“So after sa gihimo ni Gov nga meeting, siguro kung ma-implement na nato iyang gipabuhat is ma-maximize nato ang flow sa Luyang,” he added.
With the issuance of the special permit, Gov. Garcia emphasized the need to protect the rivers’ ecosystem while improving their capacity to supply water to the community. The special permit that will be issued will come with guidelines to ensure that the desilting process is done in an environmentally friendly manner. | MARM