Posted on February 9, 2026
OCCIDENTAL MINDORO — Occidental Mindoro Gov. Eduardo Gadiano firmly denied allegations of dredging in the coastal waters of Barangay Iriron in the town of Calintaan that residents have protested.
In an interview with DZMM TeleRadyo, Gadiano clarified that the vessel spotted by residents was not engaged in dredging but was conducting a bathymetric survey to assess whether river dredging might be necessary.
“Yung bathymetric study kasi ay tinitingnan lang, nagsa-sampling lang sila diyan, titingnan lang kung gaano kadami ang bara ng ilog,” Gadiano explained.
(The bathymetric study includes taking samples to see how clogged the river is)
According to the governor, the sampling activity lasted only a day and the vessel left the area right after.
Gadiano also assured the public that the sampling activity had proper documentation.
“Dumaan din yan sa Coast Guard, alam yan ng barangay, dumadaan naman sa barangay, sa munisipyo,” the governor said.
(It went through the Coast Guard. The barangay knows about this. This went through the barangay and the municipal government)
He further emphasized that there is currently only a proposal to dredge the river, and no actual dredging can take place without approval from various national government agencies.
“Kung may bara may posibilidad na ma-dredge, pero kung wala naman, eh di walang dredge,” the governor added.
(If it is clogged, there might be dredging. If it isn’t, then there won’t be)
Gadiano also clarified that dredging operations across Occidental Mindoro have remained suspended since August last year.
