The Philippines: New equipment needed to desilt Ilocos Norte rivers

The Philippines’ President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said that he would seek the help of big companies and the acquisition of equipment from China and Taiwan to desilt the rivers in Ilocos Norte.

Marcos made the remarks as he lamented that flood control and river control works like dike and slope protection works along national roads in Ilocos Norte were damaged during the onslaught of Super Typhoon Julian.

During his recent visit to this area, the President conducted an aerial inspection of typhoon-hit areas in the province and inspected the damaged Gabu dike. According to the Philippine News Agency (PNA), he was “surprised to see the massive siltation of rivers in the province.”

Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary, Manuel Bonoan, said that the damage was triggered by the overflowing of water and the siltation of riverbeds.

Also, Ilocos Norte Gov. Matthew Bondoc proposed the large-scale dredging of rivers to address the problem.