During a launching program for the much-sought initiative, Roxas City mayor Ronnie Dadivas thanked Capiz Gov. Fredenil Castro for helping the local government unit's request to dredge the Panay River stretch in the city.

The governor helped in asking the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Regional Office 6 to borrow its dredging machine that will carry out the removal of silt, sediment and garbage in the river.

It was during the opening program of Roxas City's 72nd charter anniversary last May 12 when the governor announced that the DPWH's dredging machine will arrive in the city for the waterways clearing operation.

The city's fisherfolk association is hopeful that the dredging activity will also bring back the glory days of fishing as a livelihood which has been affected by siltation and garbage polluting the river.

"Sang gagmay kami, sa kilid suba lang kami gapangisda damo na kuha pero subong bangud sa basura nagnabaw na ang suba, wala na. (When we were still young, we had plenty of fish catch but now, we could no longer make it)," said Fisherfolk’s Association president Sheryl Ortega as quoted from Dadivas’ Facebook post.