MANILA, Philippines - The Department on Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) announced yesterday the creation of a task force that will investigate the reported discoloration of the Iponan River in Cagayan de Oro.
Unified Task Force Iponan was tasked to address the perennial problem of siltation and sedimentation of the Iponan River brought about by illegal hydraulicking operations particularly in the upland Barangays of Cagayan de Oro City, Iligan City, and Opol, Misamis Oriental.
The DENR said members of the special group include the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB); the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) of Malasag, Cagayan de Oro City; and the Community Environment and Natural Resources Offices (CENRO) of Cagayan de Oro City and Iligan City.
Unified Task Force Iponan is also composed of representatives of concerned local and provincial government; the Philippine Army, the Tactical Operations Group of the Philippine Air Force; the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro City; and the Philippine Information Agency (PIA).