River dredging

From Philippine Sun Star
Subic locator to dredge Olongapo river for free
Thursday, July 18, 2013

OLONGAPO CITY - A locator inside Subic Bay Freeport has proposed to dredge the river channel for free in an attempt to alleviate the worsening flood situation in the city.

The proposal was announced by Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) chairman Roberto Garcia during his courtesy call to Olongapo mayor Rolen Paulino.

Garcia said that CST Bluemax Subic Inc. would dredge the river channel as part of their corporate social responsibility which would cost an estimated P11 million.

Olongapo has a long history of flood, the worst recorded last year.

Olongapo City vice mayor Rodel Cerezo (left), SBMA Chairman Roberto Garcia (Center) and Mayor Rolen Paulino (left) inspect a map of the city for the proposed free dredging operation offered by a locator inside Subic freeport.(Anthony Bayarong)Olongapo City Mayor Rolen Paulino welcomed the proposal saying that the city needs all the help it can get in cleaning up the river channel.

“We are very much thankful for this proposal, if we (local government) dredge that portion of the river it would cost us million of pesos, but here come a locator inside Subic Freeport that is willing to dredge it for free, what more can we ask for.” Paulino said.

“We will do our part to make this proposal push through,” he added.

Garcia explained that in exchange, Bluemax will have the right to market the good quality sand since the company is currently engaged in shipping and selling volcanic sand from Zambales as a reclamation and construction material to Singapore.

The dredging of the river channel between SBMA and Olongapo City was identified as a priority project of SBMA through the Governance Committee of the Board of Directors which formulated the Task Force Subic Bay Clean Up and Rehabilitation.

Garcia also in the meeting pledge his full support for the administration of Paulino. (Anthony Bayarong/Sunnex)