Dredging of Marikina River starts this week

MANILA, Philippines — The dredging of Marikina River will begin this week, the Task Force Build Back Better said following reports that illegally reclaimed portions of the river had decreased its capacity to carry excess water during typhoons and heavy rainfall.

Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu said the pilot dredging would take place in the portion of the river near Marcos Highway in Barangay Kalumpang on Wednesday.

“The widening of Marikina River to its original width is but the start of the series of activities the task force has identified to address the perennial problem of flooding within the Marikina River Basin,” he said.

—Jhesset O. Enano