Lawmaker seeks to tame mighty Abra River

BANGUED, Abra, Philippines — The mighty Abra River that snakes through two provinces  Abra and Ilocos Sur and overflows on land along its path during typhoons trigerring massive flooding and destruction to the environment may no longer be a cause of concern during bad weather once a congressional measure aimed to control it is enacted.

This was learned from Abra Rep. Jocelyn “Joy” Bernos who said the setting up of an Abra River Basin Development Authority is a key component of her priority legislative program.

As envisioned, the Abra River Basin Development Authority would be mandated to control and re-channel the flow of the river away from low-lying communities, Bernos told The STAR.

In a parallel move, she would make sure laws against illegal logging are strictly enforced. Abra is bordered by the Cordillera mountain where loggers had been hauling down narra and other prime wood species.

“Illegal logging, maikkatto dagita (I will have it banned),” she said.The unchecked cutting of trees in the Cordillera ranges have been attributed to the swelling of the Abra River causing massive floods and destruction to the environment.

Bernos said she has partnered with the provincial government headed by Gov. Eustaquio Bersamin in a crusade to regain peace and usher development for their hapless province which observers noted would be a tough and challenging task.

Crucial to such partnership is putting a stop to excessive logging, it was learned.