Gov. Espino inspects dismantling and dredging operations

Gov. Espino inspects dismantling and dredging operations

“Comparable, if not better, with the Bohol river cruise!”

This was the pronouncement of Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr., on board a motorized banca, when he personally visited and inspected the on-going dismantling of illegal structures and dredging operations along the tributaries of the Agno River in Barangay Dupo in Binmaley last August 4.

One can only appreciate the beauty of the Agno River, with its tributaries adorned with different species of mangrove, once you see the effects of the on-going clean-up being undertaken by the Provincial Government. Gone were the stinking smell of the illegal fish pens and the bamboo structures that made it almost impossible to navigate the waterways.

The efforts, aimed at desilting the rivers and bring back the natural flow of water, are part of the long-term solutions being undertaken by the Provincial Government, led by the Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council (PDCC), to mitigate the ill-effects of climate change such as flashfloods and riverside erosion.

Also, the activity is part of Governor Espino’s continuing commitment and advocacy to protect and save the environment since he was still a police officer.

“It’s not the response or rescue efforts that are important kundi ang mga solusyon upang mapangalagaan natin ang ating kapaligiran,” PDCC Executive Officer Paterno Orduña stressed.

The massive river clean-up kicked off last July 19 with the Agno River tributaries within the cities of Dagupan and San Carlos and the municipalities of Binmaley and Lingayen as pilot areas.
For this, Task Group “Baklas,” Provincial Task Group “Linis,” PNP Task Group and Task Group “DRAGA” were formed. (PIO/ Rafael Manuel III)