Occidental Mindoro Governor Eduardo Gadiano has ordered the immediate suspension of all dredging operations in Barangay Talabaan, Mamburao, following a complaint from a barangay resident alleging environmental and safety risks.

In a letter addressed Monday to PERRC Construction and Development Corporation, the contractor in charge of the river restoration project, the governor directed the company to cease all dredging activities in the area until further notice.

The order comes after Zenaida Case Esparas, a resident of Barangay Talabaan, filed a formal complaint via the 8888 Citizens’ Complaint Hotline.

According to the complaint, the company allegedly violated the terms of its permits by operating dredging vessels near residential areas, trigerring issues on potential threat to public safety and the environment.

The complainant also noted that the operations intensified recently with the arrival of additional dredging vessels.

“The said complaint stemmed from the alleged non-compliance of your company with the permits issued… to the detriment of the lives, environment and safety of the residents,” Gadiano wrote.

The governor stressed that the suspension will remain in effect while the local government conducts a thorough investigation.

Officials from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Mines and Geosciences Bureau, Department of Public Works and Highways, and the Environmental Management Bureau have been copied in the directive.

Governor Gadiano, who also chairs the Inter-Agency Committee (IAC), reiterated the need for immediate compliance from the construction firm.