Manila: The dredging operations in the Cagayan River have already ceased as early as 2023, Malaca±ang announced on Tuesday. In a Palace press briefing, Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro confirmed that the dredging of the Cagayan River was halted ‘allegedly due to poor market condition of the dredge materials.’

According to Philippines News Agency, Castro stated that the private sector involved in the dredging operations had stopped their activities in 2023, citing a statement from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ regional office in the Cagayan Region. Castro remarked, ‘Matagal na po itong ipinahinto at matagal na po itong walang activity sa nasabing lugar about dredging po (It has been stopped for a long time and there has been no activity in the said area regarding dredging).’

Fisherfolk group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) previously attributed the sharp decline in fish catch in Cagayan River to the extensive dredging operations conducted during the administration of former president Rodrigo Duterte. Pamalakaya claimed that the river dredging project, initiated during Duterte’s term and executed by Chinese contractors, inflicted serious harm on the local fishing industry.

The group labeled the dredging project as a ‘direct result of Duterte’s betrayal,’ accusing him of allowing Chinese companies to dredge Philippine rivers ‘under the guise of rehabilitation.’ They emphasized that the fishermen are ‘the ones paying the price.’ The dredging activities in the Cagayan River commenced in February 2021 as part of Duterte’s initiative to alleviate flooding in the region.