Rehabilitation efforts under way for Balili River

BAGUIO City: Environment Secretary Ramon Paje recently approved the designation of the Balili River system as a Water Quality Management Area (WQMA) to protect and improve the water quality of the said river system.

Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Administrative Order (AO) No. 2013-05 designated the Balili River as a WQMA covering the areas of La Trinidad and Sablan in Benguet and the city, pursuant to the Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004

Following the designation, a governing board was recently organized to oversee and give directions on rehabilitation efforts of the water quality of the river system.

The Balili River system was categorized as Class A in 1975 but its waters deteriorated through the years due to pollution, urbanization, and human activities.

The governing board is led by the Environmental Management Bureau- DENR- Cordillera Regional Technical Working Group with members composed of representatives from the Office of the Governor of Benguet, the Cordillera Regional Development Council, mayors and Liga ng mga Punong Barangay presidents of Baguio City, La Trinidad and Sablan, concerned regional directors, the business sector representatives, officers of water utilities, duly registered non-government organizations involved in environmental concerns, the Balili River System Revitalization Coali- tion, and the Benguet State University, among others.

Among the functions of the governing board are to formulate strategies, monitor and facilitate regulations, coordinate information dissemination activities, undertake projects and complementary interventions, and formulate rules based on applicable and pertinent laws, policies, rules and regulations.

During the organizational meeting last March 13, the group agreed that the Balili River System Revitalization Coalition (BRSRC) would constitute the technical working group of the governing board.

The BRSRC, composed of groups from different sectors, was organized in July 2011 to harmonize efforts in rehabilitating the river system. The coalition paved the way for the designation of the Balili River as a WQMA.

Meanwhile, Benguet Governor Nestor Fongwan, during the meeting, underscored the need to act on commitments towards rehabilitating the Balili River since there were initiatives in the past which were not pursued.

Also presented during the governing board organizational meeting were the provisions of AO 201305, the history of Balili river, the BRSRC undertakings since 2011 anchored on the key result area committees on enhanced data, improved governance, infrastructure and vegetation, heightened awareness, and reduced dumping of wastes.

GABY B. KEITH