The Mining and Regulatory Board in Negros Oriental has decided to start the re-channeling project of Siaton River in Siaton, provincial legal counsel Erwin Vergara said.

Vergara, speaking on behalf of Gov. Emilio Macais II, said yesterday that the PMRB has felt the urgent need to re-channel the river after the noticeable damage of its banks.

The protection dike built by the Department of Public Works and Highways has shown big cracks that have alarmed the local government officials, he said.

Vergara added there will be at least four barangays in the area that will be directly affected if the protection dike is destroyed during big floods.

The targeted re-channeling project will start anytime this month and will end June.

Siaton River is one of the biggest in the province.

Vergara said the province has contacted a private contractor who will have exclusive right to haul the excess aggregates from Siaton River , considering that the government lacks sufficient budget.

The contractor, which will also construct the Panglao International Airport in Bohol province, has agreed to accept the re-channeling work, in exchange for the aggregates, he added.

Vergara also said the moratorium on all concessionaires will not be lifted until after the river shall have fully recovered.*MA

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