Apurawan River Geomorphology Study Presented to Government Agencies; Gaps in Monitoring Mechanisms Raised
Scientific evidence highlights quarrying impacts on the Apurawan River and calls for stronger inter-agency monitoring and watershed-level governance.
Drone shot illustrating the significant expansion and alteration of a river system in Palawan, resulting from disturbances such as mining and quarry operations.
Puerto Princesa City, Palawan | Feb 5, 2026
The Environmental Legal Assistance Center (ELAC) successfully convened a study presentation on the Apurawan River Geomorphology Assessment, attended by representatives from seven (7) government agencies, as part of its continuing engagement with regulatory institutions on quarrying and watershed protection in Palawan.
The presentation was led by Dainty Rabang, the geologist who conducted the Apurawan River Geomorphology and Water Quality Study, an independent scientific assessment examining the physical impacts of sand and gravel extraction on river systems.
The activity forms part of ELAC’s ongoing work under the project “Advancing Participatory Governance for Environmental Protection in the Philippines,” funded by the United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF). The project aims to strengthen evidence-based dialogue between communities, civil society, and government institutions on environmental governance issues.
Key Findings Presented
During the presentation, Ms. Rabang discussed the study’s core findings, including:
- Documented river widening and accelerated bank erosion in quarry-affected sections of the Apurawan River;
- Elevated turbidity and Total Suspended Solids (TSS) downstream of quarry sites, affecting water usability;
- Loss of riparian vegetation and riverbank stability, increasing flood and erosion risks; and
- Downstream and cumulative impacts on irrigation systems, water sources, and coastal areas.
Ms. Rabang emphasized that these physical responses are well-established geomorphological processes that occur when river systems are subjected to in-stream quarrying and excessive sediment extraction. She noted that while each river has unique characteristics, the cause-and-effect relationships observed in Apurawan are expected to manifest in other river systems under similar pressures.
Two of the recommendations mentioned in the study:
Monitoring and Governance Gaps Highlighted
A significant issue raised during the discussion was the absence of a functional Multi-Partite Monitoring Team (MMT) for quarry operations within the river system. Participants noted that without an operational MMT, regular monitoring, transparency, and accountability mechanisms are weakened, particularly in areas experiencing cumulative environmental impacts.
The discussion underscored the need for:
- Stronger inter-agency coordination in monitoring extractive activities;
- Watershed-level assessment and oversight, rather than isolated, project-based evaluations; and
- Clear roles and mechanisms for community participation in monitoring processes.
Way Forward
ELAC emphasized that the presentation was not intended to pre-empt regulatory decisions, but to provide scientific evidence to support informed policy discussions, regulatory review, and precautionary action where warranted.
The organization reiterated the importance of:
- Applying the Precautionary Principle in situations where credible evidence of harm exists;
- Moving toward comprehensive environmental assessment approaches that consider cumulative and downstream impacts; and
- Ensuring that communities and relevant institutions are meaningfully involved in environmental governance processes.
ELAC will continue to engage government agencies, communities, and technical experts to advance science-based, participatory, and accountable environmental decision-making in Palawan.
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