Monday, July 16, 2018

Cong. Velasco pushes environmental initiatives for Marinduque


Cong. Lord Velasco stresses a point in meeting with
DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu (left)

Congressman Lord Allan Velasco met on Tuesday with Secretary Roy Cimatu of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to discuss proposals benefiting the environment of Marinduque.

Velasco sought Cimatu's assistance in the construction of a Gabion Dam to be built on the downstream of the Maguila-guila Siltation Dam. It will serve as a filtering station to prevent sediments from flowing down the Mogpog River to nearby communities. It will also serve as a preventive barrier to protect against flash floods.

With the degradation of existing structures in the Marcopper site, this infrastructure is necessary to avert another potential mining disaster. Considered by the United Nations as one of the most severe environmental disaster in history, the Marcopper Mining Disaster occurred in Marinduque back in 1996 and continues to affect the lives of many people on the island-province.


Cong. Velasco also advocated for the approval of the Bamboo Demo Farm Project in Marinduque. He presented the Work and Financial Plan of this project to Sec. Cimatu and asserted that the development of bamboo nurseries within the province will be cost-efficient and sustainable, as the province saves on importing bamboo from other provinces and the attendant transportation costs. 

Finally, Cong. Velasco advanced his idea of setting up Central Sewage Treatment Facilities in every local government unit on the island.