C. Visayas rivers yield 47.8 tons of trash
CEBU CITY— More than 47.8 tons of trash were gathered during the first round of the simultaneous river clean-up in Central Visayas last week.
The trash came from the Butuanon River, Luyang River, and Bulacao River, all in Cebu province; Abatan River, Inabanga River and Manaba River in Bohol; Banica River, Sicopong River and Panamang-an River, all in Negros Oriental, and Senora River in Siquijor.
DENR Regional Executive Director Gilbert Gonzales thanked the 13,400 volunteers/ from local and national government units, private sector partners, students and other stakeholders for making the venture successful.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Community Environment and Natural Resources office (CENRO) in Talibon, Bohol, brought the biggest number of volunteers at 5,200 for cleaning the Wahig-Inabanga River.
“DENR definitely could not have done it alone but, with all the help from our valued partners from the local government, national government agencies, private partners and all other stakeholders, we made it happen,” Gonzales said.
Aside from the series of river clean-ups, DENR will also inspect establishments along rivers to stop the illegal dumping of untreated wastewater and trash.
The Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) in the region has almost completed its river profiling and is regularly taking water samples to keep track of the river rehabilitation efforts, Gonzales said.
Intensive Information, education and communication campaign in communities living near these rivers will be stepped up to raise awareness and promote behavior change to help restore the beauty and bounty of the rivers, Gonzales said.
EMB Environmental Education and Information Section head Engr. Cindylyn Pepito said the biggest contributor to river and water pollution is people, especially those residing beside the rivers.
“They must also claim responsibility for their wastes thrown to the rivers including those establishments and industries,” Pepito said.
Of the 33 rivers in the region, 12 which are located in highly populated areas need to be cleaned up, Pepito said.