LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte (PIA) – The groundbreaking ceremony for the desilting project and clearing of waterways of heavily-silted river system along Tina-Cura rivers at Sitio Boing, Brgy. Maananteng, and Brgy. Lipay in Solsona was held on Nov. 13.
This is the provincial government of Ilocos Norte’ second dredging project. Its first project on the dredging of Padsan River commenced in December 2022.
This will reduce the siltation of the river system in the municipality and prevent wide-scale flooding in the affected barangays in the future.
According to Lawyer Yvette Leynes, Provincial Administrator and Head of the Provincial Quarry Office, the desilting of the Tina-Cura rivers will measure a length of 800 meters, a width of 50 meters, and a depth of four meters.
Moreover, the volume to be extracted from the rivers would be 160,000 cubic meters, with estimated revenue of P3.5 million. Forty percent of the revenue will be turned over to Brgys. Lipay and Maananteng, while the Municipal Government of Solsona and provincial government will get 30 percent each.
Leynes expresses optimism that the desilting project will yield good results. Also, she reminded all involved parties to adhere to the established plans and rules to ensure timely completion of the project.
Meanwhile, Governor Matthew Marcos Manotoc, who led the groundbreaking ceremony, also emphasized that safety of the community and the residents are prioritized during the implementation of the project.
“The key in order for a large-scale project to succeed is the involvement and cooperation between the provincial government, local government units, and private sectors,” said Manotoc.
Aside from the Tina-Cura rivers, the provincial government is also looking into dredging the Bislak River which covers the towns of Vintar and Bacarra. It will soon enter into a memorandum of agreement with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). (JCR/MJTAB PIA Ilocos Norte)
