Philippines’ Bicol River dredging begins

The Philippine Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) commenced dredging works on the Bicol River in the southern Luzon province of Camarines Sur on Tuesday, March 23.

Around 58,235 cubic metres of deposited sand materials will be dredged from a 500-metre stretch of the 94-kilometre river, the Philippines’ eighth largest by drainage basin size.

The dredging will help expand the middle section of the river to its ideal width of 80 metres from its current width of 31 metres. The river’s depth will also be deepened further to five metres to restore its natural flow rate.

The works are expected to be completed within 281 days using two amphibious excavators. However, a DPWH official said the period may be shortened to only 52 days if a multi-purpose amphibious excavator with 153-cubic-metre capacity will also be utilised on the project.