Despite objections by environmental groups and an existing provincial ordinance that bans sand mining and dredging along coastlines and municipal waters, Mayor Allan Roldan has maintained that river dredging operations are necessary to address the town’s persistent flooding problems.
Roldan made his assertion during a Wednesday interview on the radio program ‘Hagupit ng Dos por Dos sa Radyo’ over DWXR 101.7 FM in this province.
‘You know very well that our town is always flooded. These politicians who oppose the project have not extended any help to us. We are the ones who truly understand the problems in our town, so they should let us find the solution for it,’ Roldan said.
At the center of the debates is Bird’s Nest Resources Corporation (BNRC), a SEC-registered firm specializing in large-scale river restoration and dredging projects, which is seeking to lift the suspension imposed by the provincial government last year of its Notice to Proceed (NTP) because of the passing of Provincial Ordinance No. 197-2025.
Earlier this year, an executive order was issued reorganizing the Multi-Party Monitoring Team overseeing such activities. Vice-Governor Atty. Antonio Perez Jr., who also presides over the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (Provincial Board), affirmed that Provincial Ordinance No. 197-2025 remains in full effect.
‘In our view, the suspension of BNRC’s NTP is still enforced, and the Provincial Board has not revoked the ordinance. We will issue our official stance once the proposal reaches our office,’ Perez said in a separate interview.