THE ongoing operations along the Sto. Tomas River in Zambales have become a subject of increasing public concern.
What government agencies describe as river restoration and flood mitigation is now facing growing scrutiny from communities that are witnessing significant changes in their environment.
Authorities have consistently maintained that dredging activities are necessary to remove lahar deposits left by the eruption of Mount Pinatubo and to improve the river’s capacity to carry floodwaters.
On paper, the objective is clear and reasonable. However, residents of San Felipe, San Narciso and San Marcelino are raising legitimate questions about whether the activities on the ground remain strictly within the bounds of rehabilitation.
Reports of riverbank erosion, changing coastal conditions near the river mouth and concerns over increased flooding risks have fueled public skepticism.
Fisherfolk also fear that continuous disturbance of sediment systems may eventually affect marine resources and livelihoods that depend on healthy coastal ecosystems.
These concerns deserve attention, not dismissal.
This places a significant responsibility on Zambales Governor Hermogenes Ebdane Jr., San Felipe Mayor Reinhard Jeresano, San Narciso Mayor La Rainne Abad-Sarmiento, San Marcelino Mayor Elmer Soria and Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Juan Miguel Cuna.
The public deserves full transparency regarding permits, extraction volumes, destinations of excavated materials, and environmental safeguards being enforced throughout the project.
River rehabilitation is an important component of disaster risk reduction. Yet its success depends not only on engineering objectives but also on public confidence.
When questions persist and environmental impacts become more visible, transparency becomes indispensable.
In a province where rivers, coastlines and livelihoods are closely connected, trust can only be sustained through openness, accountability and verifiable evidence that restoration remains true to its intended purpose.
