The Makabayan bloc of the House of Representatives vowed to refile a measure seeking an inquiry in aid of legislation into the controversial Chinese-led dredging operations in the Cagayan River.
Incoming Makabayan party-list lawmakers in the 20th Congress, namely ACT Teachers Rep. Antonio Tinio and Kabataan Rep. Renee Co, are poised to refile House Resolution 2278, which raised concerns over the environmental and economic impact of such dredging.
During the 19th Congress, outgoing ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro, Gabriela Rep. Arlene Brosas, and Kabataan Rep. Raoul Manuel filed a resolution to enable Congress to look into the operations of Chinese firms accused of engaging in “environmentally destructive and exploitative activities.” However, it did not prosper.
“There is an urgent need to uphold national patrimony over our natural resources and prevent further exploitation by foreign corporate interests operating with impunity,” the group said in the resolution.
The aforementioned lawmakers opposed the project because it involved large-scale dredging by Chinese firms, while also being linked to the collapse of local fisheries and widespread ecological damage in coastal towns, particularly Aparri.
According to the lawmakers, a legislative inquiry would address several environmental issues. including claims from local environment watchdogs that the dredging was all a front for black sand (magnetite) extraction rather than genuine river rehabilitation.
“While the dredging was suspended in 2023, its ecological aftermath continues to cripple the livelihoods of coastal communities, with no substantial rehabilitation or compensation provided to date,” the resolution read.
