Desilting the Buswang River in Brgy. Cambang-ug, Toledo City will now be fasttracked as private individuals commit to join RCV Construction in the task necessary to avert calamities in the area.
During a meeting at the Capitol on July 11, Gov. Gwen Garcia learned that the construction firm is having encroachment issues with at least three individuals who have been issued industrial sand and gravel permits by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau, as confirmed by MGB 7 director Armando Malicse.
The governor asked the permit holders’ cooperation especially since they would also be blamed if the river overflows this rainy season as a result to their protesting the desilting works. The permit holders — Lida Ruelo, Gimar Besaes, and Earl Daniel Dumadag — have ceased sand and gravel mining from the river since Odette hit Cebu in December 2021.
To recall, the Capitol got involved in desilting the river after Toledo City Mayor Marjorie “Joie” Perales reported to the governor the situation on the ground last month.
Desilting is the process of removing earthy materials like sand and mud in rivers or streams as the presence of these materials would make the river overflow easily during heavy rain. | Babie Jane Revecoy