Gingoog Dads to sue contractor for dumping mud into Odiongan River

By Edwin Iyo,
Correspondent

Gingoog City — The City Council here plans to sue a certain contractor for  dumping mud in Mamato River in Minalwang, Claveria, Misamis Oriental which has adversely affected its downstream tributary –– the Odiongan River of this city.

Odiongan River has turned murky and fresh water fish kills have been reported as a result of the dumping of mud, city councilor Roy Aniscal said in his special report to the council yesterday.

Aniscal authored a resolution in Tuesday morning’s regular session here which instructs the City Environment and Natural Resources Office and the Departent of Public Works and Highways to order the contractor working in the upstream part of Odiongan River to cease and desist from dumping tons of mud.

For his part, city councilor Mike Paderanga said they will file appropriate charges in court should the contractor ignore the council’s resolution since its project has caused irreparable damage to the Odiongan River.

“This (dumping of mud) is considered a public nuisance and a health hazard,” said Paderanga.

Councilor Winfred Militante, Jr, who was not present during session, told Gold Star Daily the project residence engineer of DPWH should be investgated for allowing the contractor to dump the tons of mud into the river.

“In every government project by the DPWH, like a multimillion road-widening and opening road project connecting the city and Bukidnon province, there has to be a residence engineer,” Militante pointed out.

Militante, who chairs the committee on health in the city council, is also worried the effects of the continued dumping of mud would cause to the city’s constintuents living along the Odiongan River.