DPWH issues guidelines to keep river dredging operations environment-friendly

The Department of Public Works and Highways has adopted guidelines to make river dredging activities for flood control and quarrying more environment-friendly.

 

DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson issued Department Order No. 139 to prevent ecological damage, the agency said in a news release.

 

“We have to implement our flood-control projects in a way that we can achieve positive impact and prevent damage to the environment,” said Singson.

 

Under the guidelines, project sites shall be required to undergo soil investigation, which includes actual on-set bathymetric, topographic and hydrographic surveys.

 

Proper soil investigation and analysis shall be undertaken to prevent changes in stream morphology.

 

The project proponents should also secure environmental clearances such as Certificate of Non-Coverage (CNC) or Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC).

 

Other requirements include:

 

 

For its part, the DPWH Project Management Office including regional and district offices are directed to comply to ensure that waterways’ morphology across the country "will not be compromised with the flood-control projects, dredging and quarrying operations."

 

The DPWH also encouraged local governments to comply with the DENR and DPWH guidelines before issuing quarrying operations on rivers and waterways. — Joel Locsin/VC, GMA News