The Cagayan River in Cagayan de Oro City, pre-Sendong. | Photo from Interaksyon
The Cagayan River in Cagayan de Oro City, post-Sendong. | Photo from Interaksyon
There is a must read commentary published on Christmas Eve to better understand the tragedy that occurred in Cagayan de Oro entilted, “We Had Been Warned of Cagayan River’s Fury”. It is a concise commentary touching upon the historical side of the Cagayan River, its economic importance to the city, and the complacency of its residents who normally enjoy a typhoon-free existence. More importantly, it touches upon the issue of “man vs. nature” wherein man usually is defenseless against Mother Nature. In this case Sendong’s rains on December 16/17, 2011 just helped the Cagayan River reclaim what was rightfully its own course. According to the commentary the Cagayan River was disrespected by man, and by the ineptness, the incompetence of a mayor and his local government for the sake of the political vote.
There is no reason to fear growth, development or urbanisation. However this must be achieved not at the expense of the environment and for development just for profits’ sake. The actions taken to achieve development and growth to ease the dire state of poverty must be done in concert with the environment and its elements, which is the basis of our existence.
Commentary: “We Had Been Warned of Cagayan River’s Fury”, by Antonio J. Montalvan II (Inquirer)
- The Cagayan River watershed. (Image from Wikipedia)
FAST FACTS: Cagayan River (Cagayan de Oro River)
• The Cagayan River’s headwaters originate in the mountain ranges in the central part of Bukidnon.
• The Cagayan River’s headwaters flow for about 90 kilometers from Bukidnon’s Kalatungan Mountain Range the Macajalar Bay.
• The Cagayan River drains approximately 1,521 square kilometers, 80% of which is in the province of Bukidnon and the rest through Iligan City and Cagayan de Oro.
• The Cagayan River is the natural boundary between Bukidnon and Cagayan de Oro City, and between Bukidnon and Iligan City.
• The Cagayan River divides Cagayan de Oro into two Congressional districts.
• The Cagayan River and white-water rafting is the main tourist attraction for Cagayan de Oro City .
Source: Wikipedia
The Cagayan River (aka Cagayan de Oro)
Dwellings on the Cagayan de Oro River. | Photo under 2.0 Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 license from marc.benton via Flickr
The Cagayan de oro seaport. | Photo from RFM via skyscrapercity.com
- The Cagayan River, Cagayan de Oro. | Photo from world66.com
The Cagayan River (aka Cagayan de Oro River). | Photo from www.himantayon-cagayan.com
The Cagayan River (aka Cagayan de Oro rover). | Photo from www.sheilalu.com
