Mindanao’s largest river cleared of water lilies

COTABATO CITY — Public works officials, working hand in hand with government troops and separatist rebels, have cleared the Rio Grande de Mindanao of some 70,000 metric tons of water lilies over the past days.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said clearing operations were completed on Saturday on the Pulangi River section of one of the largest river system in Mindanao, which caused widespread flooding in the Cotabato area last month.

"So far our clearing operation in that section of that river, the largest in Mindanao is now complete. The water is now flowing freely," said by Director Emil Sadain, head of the DPWH-Bridge Program (PBP) emergency response team.

"We estimate around seven hectares of water lilies were washed down in the river section as a result of heavy rains brought by typhoon ‘Frank.’ The river section was almost erased," Sadain said.

Public Works Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane Jr earlier ordered the emergency response team to move in upon the clamor from local officials whose towns were affected by floods.

The PBP sent a floating barge with an 18-ton backhoe to help and dredge the river of tons of tons of water lilies which that were washed down by heavy rains from the Liguasan Marsh.

Sadain said they have made the removal of water lilies a priority as these can threaten the structural integrity of some of the bridges.

In another show of cooperation, government troops and members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) have helped clear the river of water lilies. - (GMANews.TV)