Simultaneous River Clean-Up Drive in Central Visayas Set

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Central Visayas (DENR-7) will hold a simultaneous river clean-up activity on Friday in different parts of the region.

Cindylyn Ochea, head of the Environmental Education and Information Section of the Environmental Management Bureau in Central Visayas (EMB-7), said Wednesday the activity is in line with the “RIVERs for Life” Program of the DENR.

Ochea said RIVERs (Recognizing Individuals/Institutions towards Vibrant and Enhanced Rivers) for Life is not a new program, but it has not been effectively implemented.

The program, she said, is aimed at raising awareness on the need to protect and sustainably manage the rivers especially among the communities on the riversides.

“Rivers are the lifeblood of the earth and the people, and we are urging the people, most especially those living near rivers, to make a habit of cleaning and protecting them,” Ochea said during the Kapihan sa PIA (Philippine Information Agency) Cebu forum.

The simultaneous clean-up will be held in three rivers in Cebu, three in Bohol, three in Negros Oriental, and one in Siquijor.

In Cebu, the clean-up activity will be held at the Butuanon River in Mandaue City, Bulacao River in Cebu City, and Luyang River in Carmen town.

Ochea said the DENR-7 has also ordered the non-disposal of any waste on rivers in the whole Central Visayas.

There are 33 rivers in the region and 12 of these need to be rehabilitated. She said these rivers are located in densely-populated areas.

“If only the people and the community will participate in our endeavors, our initiatives to save rivers from pollution and waste would not be so hard to achieve,” said Ochea, who also announced that the DENR-7 will also have a school caravan in March to educate the students about the conservation of rivers.

On the other hand, the Cebu Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) has also lined up some activities in line with the program.

Provincial Environment chief Jose Cleo Cary Colis said they will intensify their information-dissemination campaign, checking and monitoring of rivers, and hold seminars on solid waste management for the protection of rivers in the barangays.

Colis said they have already started holding seminars on solid waste management for barangay officials and village watchmen, whom they also deputized to lead the river clean-up and protection drive in their areas.

In November last year, DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu ordered all regional directors to clean up polluted rivers in their respective areas within one year’s time or they will be removed from office.

Asked if they can accomplish Cimatu’s directive, Ochea and Colis said they will try their best to deliver what is expected of them.

“Cleaning up the rivers physically is not hard, but improving the water quality will take time. But we will give our very best to meet the deadline,” Colis said. (PNA)