The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) of Oriental Mindoro on Monday dismissed as “fake news” social media posts claiming that river sand dredging activities caused recent flooding and landslides in the province.

In an official statement, PDRRMO chief Vinscent B. Gahol refuted posts by Facebook pages “One News PHL,” “Daily Reporter,” “PHL Daily,” and “Daily Star” that allegedly linked river restoration work to recent disasters.

“Pinapabulaanan ng aming tanggapan ang post ng One News PHL, Daily Reporter, PHL Daily at Daily Star, mga Facebook pages, na naglabas ng mga posts patungkol sa dredging na sanhi diumano ng mga pagbaha at landslide sa lalawigan,” (Our office denies the posts by One News PHL, Daily Reporter, PHL Daily and Daily Star, Facebook pages, which released posts about dredging allegedly causing flooding and landslides in the province) Gahol said.

The PDRRMO noted that no landslide incidents occurred in proposed areas of the River Restoration Project, specifically in Balete, Gloria, and Alag in Baco municipality.

“Wala pong insidente ng landslide na naganap sa mga proposed areas ng River Restoration Project dito sa ating lalawigan gaya ng sa Balete, Gloria at Alag, Baco,” (There were no landslide incidents in the proposed areas of the River Restoration Project here in our province such as in Balete, Gloria and Alag, Baco) the statement read.

According to the PDRRMO, recent flooding and minor landslides were caused by heavy rains brought by the southwest monsoon, intensified by tropical cyclones Dante and Emong in July 2025.

“Ang huling insidente ng pagbaha at mga minor landslides/rockslide at soil/ground erosions ay dahil sa malakas na pag-ulan na dulot ng Habagat na pinalakas ng mga Bagyong Dante at Emong noong Hulyo 2025,” (The recent incidents of flooding and minor landslides/rockslides and soil/ground erosions were due to heavy rains caused by the southwest monsoon intensified by typhoons Dante and Emong last July 2025) the statement explained.

The PDRRMO urged social media users to be more discerning about online posts and to actively support the government in disseminating accurate information.

All disaster incidents in the province are documented through incident reports from City and Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices, which are then forwarded to the PDRRMO for appropriate action.

Screenshot courtesy of Rodel Seniega (for illustration purposes only)