The dredging activities in Marikina River will start on Wednesday as the Department of Environment and Natural Resources found out that 25 lot parcels, with a total area of 27 hectares, were illegally reclaimed, DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu said over the weekend. Cimatu said the Task Force Build Back Better, which was created after massive flooding struck Marikina and other cities in Metro Manila in November last year, would lead the dredging. “Using official land records dating back as far as 1914 and 1961, historical maps and satellite photos from the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority as basis, the DENR National Capital Region conducted aerial and ground verification surveys that confirmed encroachments not only in the river but in the designated legal easements as well,” Cimatu said.

Marcelo, E. (2021, February 15). Dredging of Marikina River starts Wednesday. The Philippine Star, p. 8.