River dredging operations in full blast

THE dredging operations of Iloilo River had started with the arrival of the Water Master dredging machine of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog said the full dredging may start on May 2013 after relocating the informal settlers.

Mabilog said the dredging at the Iloilo River covers some 2.2 kilometers from the Carpenter’s Bridge down to the Esplanade.

The mayor added that the project, which has an initial budget of P5.8 million, will rehabilitate the creeks of Dungon and Calajunan.

Aside from the dredging operation, a construction of the more than 3,000 housing units, which costs more than P300 million, for the informal settlers who are living along the Iloilo River is ongoing.

The displaced informal settlers will be relocated to the River Subdivision Plains I in barangays Camalig and Lanit in Jaro district and River Subdivision Plains II in barangay Sooc, Arevalo district.

The dredged materials will be disposed at the eight-hectare vacant property along the river esplanade and the two-hectare City Government property in Molo district, Mabilog said.

Mabilog, meanwhile, said some illegal fishponds located at the Calajunan Creek will have to be demolished first before conducting the operation.

Mabilog said the dredging of the 1.1 kilometer (km) stretch at the Dungon Creek from Marina to Taytay Zone 2 is already completed.

The dredging of the 2.77 km road from Magsaysay Village to Taytay Zone 2, which costs P5.8 million, is still ongoing, Mabilog said.

He said the clearing operation, which costs P2.6 million, of the rivers and creeks will be conducted in eight barangays within three months, adding a total of 398 informal settlers will be relocated within 4 months to the Lanit relocation site. (Lydia C. Pendon)