EDITORIAL

God Created Aklan River Beautiful

by ERNESTO T. SOLIDUM

Three massive infrastructure projects are planned to be implemented by District Engineers’ Office (DEO) for Aklan river flood control in 2012. OIC District Engr. Roberto J. Cabigas said that investment will cost P150 million to rivet river bank wall in critical flood prone areas. They are in Numancia (P50 m), Kalibo (P50 m) and Kalibo-Banga corridor (P50 m). The total length of each project covers 750 linear meters.

Since typhoon Frank struck on June 21, 2008, public awareness and concerns are raised to prevent or mitigate catastrophic floods. Paglaum fund originally set at P1.1 billion by Ms. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo turned out to be only P100 million. The management of fund was done by DPWH, Region VI which awarded the contract to International Builders Corp. (IBC) to dredge 185,000 cubic meters of gravel and sand in Bulwang and Bakhao Norte over a seven month period starting April 2010.

As of June 25, 2010, the project is 27.0 percent completed but surprisingly up to this date, the final completion has never been realized. It is good that floodwaters are tamed this year but majority of our people are upset and jittery every time heavy down pour occurs consecutively for four or five days.

The on going investigation by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Aklan based on Res. No. 2010-152 could only be futile and self serving. Nothing concrete and substantial has come out of Senate and House panel investigations like payola and jueteng scandals. Can our legislators of Aklan be different?

Where Did Our Money Go?

It might be true that the capacity of dredging equipment of IBC is 1,500 cubic meters per day (10 working hours). Likewise, contractor is competent and reliable. However, at the end of the day, we Aklanons who are his employers find that actually nothing was done; it could be appalling indeed. What on earth happened? Just where did our money go?

Common sense dictates that dredging operation must not be undertaken in running bodies of water. Otherwise, this will immediately be filled up by sediment deposits upstream. Dredging and reclamation projects in Manila Bay were successful because water movements were slight and hose conveyors directed water and sand flow at a considerable distance from the seashore. Of course this was promptly secured by a long revetment wall.

The above stated precautionary measures are not instituted in the dredging activity of IBC. It makes no sense that our scant financial resources could ever be wasted on such a worthless project. Whoever thought of this quixotic foray must be summarily dismissed from the career service. He or she can even be charged before the Professional Regulation Commission and if convicted divested of his title.

River Face Make Pretty

River erosion and siltation have caused directional flow of the Aklan river to swerve from previous trajectory at the Eastern approach of the bridge to the Western section. This means pressure mounts on land mass of Bulwang and Pusiw of Numancia and Liboton (separated sitio of Brgy. Bakhaw Norte, Kalibo) to be reclaimed by the Aklan river. Ultimately, the old river course at Bulwang creek which has long dried up may be traversed.

The above chilling scenario may take 20-30 years from now if authorities fail to institute mitigating measures. So far, dangerous trend could only be effectively managed by hydro-electric dam located in Libacao and Madalag (if constructed) because water flow could be regulated and diverted.

Here in Aklan, our perennial problem is flood and more floods. Significantly, barangays like Tinigao, Mobo, Bakhao Norte, and Bakhao Sur have decreasing land areas due to river erosion. Global warming is a potent force in all weather disturbances. It is unfortunate that our leaders fail to recognize the full economic benefits of the Aklan river ecosystem.

The leading developing economies such as China, Brazil, and India have exploited their big rivers to their advantage by constructing hydropower, irrigation, transport, recreation, fish stocking and conservation, domestic water supply and tourism. China’s three Gorges dam are excellent examples. Taiwan, a small island is leading the world in its utilization of freshwater resources. United Nations experts predict that serious water crisis will become the world’s biggest problem in this 21st century.

Figuratively, we have only skimmed the tip of the iceberg of wondrous opportunities cited above. Crude prototypes are irrigation (NIA), domestic water supply (MKWD), recreation/tourism (wild river bamboo rafting in hinterlands of Libacao), transport of agricultural products (bamboo poles, abaca, bananas, and root crops) and hydropower (mini hydro electric projects under construction in Libacao).

It may be underscored that our power requirement grows steadily at 5 percent per year and yet we still rely on fossil fuels that are expensive and environmentally destructive. Tapping into this veritable resource could bring lifetime benefits to our people and succeeding generation. The face of a river is not always ugly but can be made beautiful by those who care for it. /MP