The Department of Environment and Natural Resources 11 (DENR-11) is investigating the reported heavy siltation in Davao Oriental.
On January 14, 2022, a heavy siltation incident happened along Mapagda River, Banaybanay, Davao Oriental after heavy rains occurred for more than 12 hours with an accumulated rainfall intensity of 111 millimeters from January 13 at noon to January 14, 2022. The large volume of water allegedly may have resulted in such siltation that caused discoloration of the said river.
In a public statement issued on January 14, 2022 DENR 11 announced that an investigating team was immediately created that will be deployed on the area on January 15, 2022. The team will conduct an investigation and assessment of the areas to evaluate the cause of the said incident.
The team is composed of personnel from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB 11), Environmental Management Bureau (EMB 11), and Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) in Lupon, Davao Oriental.
Meanwhile, Rudolph Dela Cruz Espe, a constituent and an advocate against mining activities in Barangay Puntalinao in Banaybanay, Davao Oriental said this is the first time they experienced discoloration of the rivers and blamed the laterite extraction activity in their area.
“There is no other reason for this except the present laterite mining activity in Puntalinao/Pintatagan mountainous area. I live here since birth and I can attest that we never experienced such discoloration of rivers before. Obviously because of the ongoing laterites extraction ongoing in the area,” he said in a text message
