CCCI Conducted Bokashi Balls Making Workshops To Restore Cebu City Rivers

As a response to the urgent call of restoring Cebu City’s river systems, the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) with the technical support of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Environmental Management Bureau VII (DENR-EMB 7) conducted series of Bokashi Balls Making Workshopsin Brgys. Calamba, Sambag I, Ermita and Bacayan as well as to the NSTP students of the University of San Carlos.

This new technology in river cleanup through the use of “Bokashi Balls” was introduced tothe barangay officials and riverside dwellers of the respective barangays.

Bokashi Balls are made of dried mud where effective microorganisms (EM) are kneaded into it and after a period of incubation, the Bokashi Balls are thrown into the body of water to clean it up.

Aside from its use to clean the rivers, Bokashi Ball Making can also be an alternative livelihood as the Bokashi balls can be sold to companies operating near the river as part of their CSR program.

As a culminating activity, CCCI held a forum called “Cebu City Rivers Restoration Appreciative Journey and Sustainability Planning” last April 25 at Montebello Villa Hotel.

Stakeholders of Cebu City’s five river systems such as from Brgys. Bacayan, Binaliw, Calamba, Camputhaw, Ermita, Mabolo, Sambag and Tejerorepresented by their respective Brgy. Captains, Brgy. Councilors anchoring the Environment Committee, Brgy. Environment Officers (BEO) and riverside dwellers attended the forum.

Members of the Cebu City Rivers Management Council (CCRMC) such as the Cebu Uniting for Sustainable Water (CUSW), Cebu City Environment & Natural Resources Office (CCENRO) graced the event as resource speakers while the Cebu Academe Network (CAN) and CCCI members operating near the rivers, attended as participants.

The forum served as a venue where business sector, riverside dwellers, and the government convened to discover the strengths and opportunities for river restoration as well as decide on a roadmap to mitigate the weaknesses and threats of pursuing the journey for sustainable river resources management and development.

This initiative was made possible because of the financial assistance provided by the Cebu City government through its Cebu City Rivers Management Council (CCRMC) wherein CCCI is an active member.