Water levels in the Mangueragday River and Old Mangaldan River in Mangaldan, Pangasinan continue to drop, with parts of the waterways now nearly dry and covered in thick clusters of water lilies.

In Barangay Pogo, the Old Mangaldan River has stopped flowing completely.

Locals say the stagnant water and dense vegetation are beginning to smell.

“Kapag hindi kasi naalis ’yan, bumabara sa silong ng tulay. Dapat maalis talaga ’yan,” Vicente Mayugba, a resident, said.

The Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) has scheduled a river cleanup ahead of the rainy season to prevent flooding.

In Barangay Bantayan, officials said they are delaying water lily removal because the plants serve as shade and protection for recently released fingerlings.

“Kawawa kasi ang mga isda kung alisin na namin ’yan. Pero kapag ’yung tubig-dagat na maalat ay umabot na diyan, mag-start na mamatay ang water lily — doon na kami mag-clean-up diyan,” Rodolfo Corla, Mangaldan MDRRMO Officer, said.

Officials assured residents that a full cleanup will still take place before the wet season to allow water to flow properly and avoid potential flooding.