Posted on December 1, 2016
By Bea Zaragosa, ABS-CBN News
A Chinese vessel has been anchored off the coastline of Barangay Bakhaw Norte in Kalibo, Aklan since November 22.
According to the Philippine Coast Guard in Aklan, the vessel, identified as MV Zhong Hai 18, will be dredging the Aklan River.
Engineer Roger Esto of the Provincial Planning and Development Office said the ship was contracted by STL Panay Resources Co. Ltd.
The company offered the dredging of the river in exchange for buying the materials which will be taken out.
Residents of Kalibo expressed fears over the dredging project, citing previous experiences which resulted in the erosion of riverbanks.
Mayor William Lachica of Kalibo is looking at possible ways to counter the project.
Provincial Administrator Atty. Selwyn Ibarreta hinted that several years ago, the town of Kalibo gave an endorsement to the dredging, which eventually led to the project pushing through this year.
Based on the records obtained from the PPDO office of Aklan, the dredging company has an ECC from the EMB of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and a notice of No Objection from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to pursue the project.
The dredging of the Aklan River stemmed from the flashflood brought by Typhoon Frank.
Source: ABS-CBN News
