BFAR call it responsible dredging sa ginanap na Tipon Tipon sa PIA

Officials of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources said they are for the responsible dredging project in the Buguey Lagoon to improve the navigational course of fishermen in the said coastal town.
In this week’s edition of the ‘Tipon-Tipan Sa PIA,’ most of the BFAR officials said that for the last decade, boats in the area could hardly pass through the mouth of the lagoon, part of the 14-kilometer Buguey River, into the sea because of heavy siltation.
Earlier, local and foreign experts have undergone independent study on the lagoon due to its prominence as a land of international importance declared during the 1998 Ramsar, Iran Convention sponsored by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Educational Council (UNESCO).
“While dredging the lagoon is very important for navigational purposes, habitats of endemic species should be protected,” Dr. Evelyn Ame, chief, Fisheries Resources Management Division said.
The lagoon is home to a variety of endemic species in the area particularly ‘siganids’ (Malaga), shrimps, shellfishes and most importantly, crabs and crablings in the wild.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources said at least 27 species of migratory birds from Asian countries do visit the area during winter months. The presence of the fowls is an indication of the ecological balance existing in the wetlands of the lagoon, the agency added.
As early as a decade ago, the local government unit has seen the necessity of dredging the mouth of the river in Barangay Minanga as the fishermen has reported decreasing catch as an after effect of the heavy siltation in the area.
The fishery bureau expressed hope it will be included in the planning stage of the activity to suggest areas that should not be dredged as these are habitats of endemic species.

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)

Buguey's Official Website

http://www.bugueycagayan.ph/

Remembering d nuang