The Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) in Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat has launched an investigation into the discoloration of Dalol River in Columbio town.

Residents were alarmed upon seeing the river turn into brown to red since Thursday, November 21, 2024.

According to a resident, the river doesn’t turn this color even if flooding occurs.

“Pag baha kasi diyan, maganda yung tubig, pero walang ulan na-notice sa taas tapos yung tubig amoy lutak talaga siya, amoy lupa talaga siya,” a resident, Lopez Kian, said.

Residents have expressed worry over its possible effects to the fish they get from the river, as well as to the animals who drink there.

“Very alarming siya… na-question din sa mind ko, buhay pa ba ang mga isda, kaya pa ba itong mainom ng mga kalabaw, kaya pa ba itong liguan?” Kian added.

CENRO is looking into mining as possible cause of the discoloration.

“Pag sinabi kasi tenements yan, possible mayroon mga explorations pero, as of now, wala pang resulta kasi nagpakuha kami ng laboratory diyan, samples ng river. Kasi every rainy season yan ganyan talaga ang hitsura niya ang suspek talaga yung mining,” Tacurong CENR Officer, Iskak Dipatuan, said.

CENRO added that the Dalol River is a watershed area in the town. Its head stream is located in Mt. Bololomot where illegal miners were arrested before.

“Paiigtingin pa natin ang monitoring kasi kung walang magsasalita hindi mapipigilan yung mga illegal activities diyan sa taas,” Dipatuan said.