Naga City is preparing the Naga River for the upcoming Peñafrancia Fiesta by clearing it of water lilies and dredging the river, with additional plans to enhance its appearance.

“Igwa po ning nagkakapot ning project kaito. For now, halos sufficient na si raw materials ninda,” CJ Zantua, Senior Environmental Management Specialist for the Naga City Environmental and Natural Resources Office (ENRO), said.

“Ang ginigibo mi, pinapaluwas mi lang siya sa Naga river. Binubuksan mi si flood gates, may area kami kaiyan. Igwa kami kaiyan ning barrier, tinataas-baba mi siya para makaluwas siya freely,” Zantua added.

The city is also updating several riprap areas, particularly near Danlugan, by reinforcing and cleaning these sections.

In addition to these efforts, the city plans to decorate the area with mural paintings to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the canonical coronation of Our Lady of Peñafrancia. 

This initiative is part of the preparations involving various government agencies and local groups.

“Hanggang before mag-traslacion, dagos-dagos na iyan. Ang goal mi is by that time, si mga pahanggilid [ay] equipped na for the upcoming activity,” Zantua said.

The Naga City ENRO has also urged the public to avoid littering in the river, as garbage contributes to unsightly conditions and flooding in some parts of the city.