Mangaldan dad seeks regulation of activities using Angalacan River
DUE to increasing incidents of drowning in the town, Mangaldan Councilor Aldrin Soriano wants the regulation on bathing and crossing in the Angalacan River.
In an interview Thursday, March 23, Soriano said he filed his proposed ordinance titled “An Ordinance Regulating Swimming and Other Related Recreational Activities Along Angalacan River in the Municipality of Mangaldan, Pangasinan”, which is now under a series of committee hearings.
In 2022, four drowning incidents were recorded, two of whom were minors, grade 8 students while a local resident drowned when he attempted to cross the river to reach his home faster.
On December 2022, Mangaldan’s Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) advised against swimming and crossing the river.
Soriano, however, said admitted swimming cannot be banned, as it is a public place.
“Instead na ipagbawal, layon natin na i-regulate na lamang siya,” he said.
The ten-kilometer river is part of the much-larger Bued River system and a river tributary of the much-larger Cayanga River in San Fabian town. It covers 12 barangays in Mangaldan town and runs through the municipalities of Pozorrubio, Mangaldan, Mapandan, and Manaoag.
The Angalacan River water levels are unpredictable especially during the rainy season but it still poses a serious threat to lives during the dry season.
Soriano urged the local government to install “Danger Zone” markers in certain parts of the river, to warn against deep and strong currents.
The ordinance also includes a provision constructing a ‘watch tower’ to monitor movements and activities in the river.
Soriano also proposed that swimming and bathing along the river should be limited to 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. only. (Ahikam Pasion)
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