Geologist pushes for widening of Cagayan River to prevent massive flooding

Cagayan River, the longest river in the Philippines, should be widened to prevent massive flooding in the future, such as what occurred since last week due to Typhoon Ulysses, a geologist said Tuesday.

Dr. Fernando Siringan, former director of the UP Marine Science Institute, noted that while Cagayan River is 400 meters wide at its widest, it is only around 180 meters wide in the area of Alcala, Cagayan since typhoons have brought down sedimentary rocks, reducing the river’s coverage. 

“Para kang nasa EDSA, na may anim na lanes, tapos naging dalawa na lang. Naging embudo. Sa EDSA, nagpa-pile up ang sasakyan. Eh ang sasakyan, hindi gumagalaw. Doon sa Cagayan, nagpa-pile up ang tubig mula Alcala, Cagayan, paakyat ng Tuguegarao,” he said in a Dobol B sa News TV interview. 

Cagayan River traverses four provinces, namely Cagayan, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino and Isabela. 

“Kailangan palawakin ang Cagayan River. From 400 meters wide, nagiging 180 meters wide lang siya sa may Alcala. Halos kalahati. Kailangan lumuwag ang ilog bago tayo gumawa ng kahit ano. Kailangan i-prioritize ‘yun,” Siringan added.

Likewise, Siringan said residents should make it a habit to plant trees like narra, molave and fruit-bearing trees, among others, to boost the reforestation program of the government. 

“Iyang reforestation, may mga nagsasabi [na] bakit parang walang nangyayari? Kasi merong naitatanim pero maling puno. Kaya dapat ine-encourage ang ating mga kababayan na magtanim at alagaan ito,” Siringan said.

“May mga variety ng narra, iyong kulay dilaw, na mabilis tumubo, na iyong girth niya ay 30 centimeters na in ten years. Puwede rin mga fruiting trees [ang itanim],” he added.

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade on Sunday also pushed for reforestation, as well as the dredging of Cagayan River.

"Nakikita dito ang dalawang pangangailangan. Number one, 'yung itigil ang pagputol ng puno dito, 'yung reforestation program kailangan ituloy. Pangalawa, 'yung tinatawag na dredging sa Cagayan River," he said during a situation briefing in Tuguegarao City with President Rodrigo Duterte, Cabinet officials, and other government officials.

"Kung hindi magagawa ang dalawang yan, paulit-ulit na mangyayari ang pagbaha dito," he added.

Mayor Tin Antonio of Alcala said the widening of Cagayan River from Tupang in Alcala to Magapit in Lal-lo would benefit the whole Cagayan Valley.

"This is not a new idea — this is one of the recommendations of the 1987 JICA Report on flood and the Cagayan River. Sadly, this has not been acted upon," she said.

Antonio however said they have started planting trees in many areas.

Ulysses already left at least 67 dead, 21 injured and 13 missing so far, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. It has also displaced 428,657 families or over 1.7 million individuals.

Prior to Ulysses, Typhoons Quinta and Rolly also caused devastation in recent weeks to many areas, leaving billions worth of damages in agriculture as well as public and private infrastructure. —KG, GMA News