• THERESA MAE DULMAN
The Bacolod City Engineer’s Office has reported the removal of 9,453 tons of garbage and sand from the Mandalagan River, as of the third week of April.
Mayor Greg Gasataya said the extraction is the result of ongoing dredging and desilting operations conducted by the city government to clear the waterway.
He said that the volume of waste collected underscores the extent of the blockage that has affected the river’s flow over time.
To complete the task, the city utilized heavy machinery, including an amphibious excavator, to reach areas with heavy siltation.
The clearing operations focused on removing the accumulated debris from the riverbed to increase its depth and capacity.
The mayor added that the removal of these materials is a necessary step in maintaining the city’s water systems.
The collected waste and sand were hauled away to designated disposal sites as the office continues its maintenance of the local river networks.*
