Expert clear off fears on dredging

Buguey,Cagayan A marine science expert said dredging will not cause flooding as alleged by anti-mining advocates in at least five municipalities in the province.
Dr. Fernando Siringan of the Marine Environment and Resources Foundation-Marine Science Institute of the University of the Philippines clarified that sand per se is not a binding material but the mud present in it, correcting the information during his presentation on the geomorphic changes of the lower Cagayan River held here last week.
“Sand is not a binding material. It is the mud,” he told hundreds of Cagayanos who attended his presentation on the Institute’s findings on the Cagayan River in relation to pocket operations of magnetite mining in the area.
The research was done to find ways and means to lessen flooding, reduce riverbank erosion and evaluate potential site for the establishment of a new Port of Aparri.
According to the research, the channel along the mouth of the Cagayan River in Aparri is constricted by almost 50 percent due to the presence of sand bars, along its west bank.
He said there has been changes in the depth of the river where the deepest part at 40 feet is located between the barangays of Agusi in Camalaniugan and Toran Aparri.
Earlier, anti-dredging advocates in Gonzaga, Buguey, Camalaniugan, Aparri and Lal-lo claimed that mining the magnetite sand will result to flooding as no material will hold together the soil along riverbanks and seashores.
It was learned that the mouth of the river is 20 feet deep and should be dredged to not more than 8 meters depth.
He suggested that the dredged materials can be used for lost land at the same time can elevate the present river bank. However, he also cautioned that there should be a schedule of maintenance dredging and a team from Aparri to be formed to monitor the river level.
The provincial government commissioned Siringan and his group last year for a three month study in aid of a plan to finally dredge the lower Cagayan River .
In a related development, Siringan said that if and when the government decide to dredge the river, the province should buy its own dredger machine and to adopt the earlier recommendation made by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), which likewise suggested the area near the mouth of the river should be dredged.
Siringan claimed the province has enough mineral resources like iron and titanium that Cagayan should put up its own sand processing plant.
“Cagayano investors should be encourage to go into the project and part of the income derived from the venture should be earmarked for environment protection including rehabilitation of the river,” he said.

Buguey Tourism Beefing up!!!!Lets GO!!!!!!!

Buguey intensifies tourism efforts


by Benjie S. De Yro
BUGUEY, Cagayan, January 17 (PIA) -- It’s all systems go for the extensive and massive development of the tourism industry in this coastal municipality.
This was after the Land Bank of the Philippines-Northern Luzon approved an earlier request of the local government unit for a P50 million loan assistance. This amount will be used for the construction of a new hotel at the El Presidente Beach Resort and the purchase of tourism construction equipment, according to Mayor Licerio M. Antiporda III.
Earlier, the Local Chief Executive vowed to bank on the tourism potentials of his town to provide livelihood and employment opportunities to Bugueyanos.
Antiporda said the bulk of the assistance will be used for the construction of a new hotel at the El Presidente Beach Resort.
Mayor Antiporda revealed the new hotel will be the center of the town’s tourism promotions and strategies.
Likewise, the newly organized Buguey Tourism Council is expected to draw various projects and programs to support the infrastructure component of the tourism plan.
Travel writers have also encouraged the LGU to pursue a tourism plan to promote Buguey to both local and foreign visitors.
Aside from the place’s history and nature, Buguey is home to culinary wonders.
“We got a sure winner in Buguey,” travel writer Vic Lactaoen declared last year. (PIA 2)

GSIS signs agreement with Buguey, Cagayan

GSIS President and General Manager Robert G. Vergara signs the Memorandum of Agreement with Mayor Licerio M. Antipoda III of Buguey, Cagayan. The MOA calls for the settlement of P7.4 million in unpaid interest on delayed remittances by the municipal goverment of Buguey, covering the period 1998 to 2010. Under the MOA, Buguey has agreed to make a downpayment of 20 percent on the said interest. For its part, the GSIS will condone 30 percent of the interest charges on the obligation, leaving a balance of P4.1 million on Buguey’s unsettled interest obligation. Buguey has committed to pay the balance within 24 monthsBuguey signs new agreement to GSIS