It’s time Marilao, Meycauayan rivers are cleaned up, says gov

CALUMPIT, Bulacan — Residents and volunteer groups in this province have been enjoined to help and support efforts to clean up the rivers of Marilao and Meycauayan, which are now heavily polluted.

“Magsi-siyam na taon nang hindi napakinabangan and mga ilog ng Marilao at Meycauayan dahil sa matinding polusyon (It’s been almost nine years that the Marilao and Meycauayan rivers have been desolate because of severe pollution),” said Governor Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado.

Yesterday, Alvarado sat down with leaders of pro-environment groups and organized communities to discuss the different projects that could set in motion to transform the two rivers into clean bodies of water.

“This (issue) should not overlooked by concerned agencies and most people in this province because rivers are so important; they offer more livelihood opportunities to the communities,” he said.

Calling to mind how a New Yorkbased environmental watchdog referred to the two Bulacan rivers as among the 30 dirtiest rivers in the world nine years ago, the governor said it is about time efforts are mustered to bring life back into the rivers.

He warned all Bulakeños that if they fail to act now and join the mission to clean up these two rivers, rains expected with La Niña this year will cause an overthe flowing of the waterways and bring the garbage right at their doorsteps.