DENR on a Mission to Clean Up Polluted River Systems

After the successful rehabilitation of Boracay Island, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is now targeting the river systems in the country.

DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu even went as far as declaring that regional directors and their personnel could lose their jobs if they fail to clean up the river systems in their respective areas.

On the flipside, Cimatu promised promotions if they take the campaign seriously and get the job done.

“I am directing these regional directors to make sure that all rivers in their area will be cleaned. To those personnel who are negligent in their rivers, I will look for people who are better than them to replace them,” said Cimatu during his speech in the 4th International River Summit in Cebu Thursday on Nov. 22.

Polluted Rivers

Back when he was still in the army, Cimatu recalled his first assignment in Cebu more than 40 years ago. He said that he was impressed upon seeing the Butuanon River with its cleanliness and tranquility.

Things had changed when he returned to Cebu as DENR’s secretary. He discovered that the once-pristine river in Mandaue City is now in a terrible state.

“Mas malinis noon. Eh ngayon, what happened? Parang Boracay din na malinis pero nadumihan (It was cleaner before. Just like Boracay, which was clean and then got soiled),” he said.

Mayor Luigi Quisumbing of Mandaue City also agreed with Cimatu. He attributed the contamination of Butuanon River to the city’s rapid urbanization and development. There was even a point when it was called the “worst river in the country.”

Quisumbing, however, said that his administration in cooperation with various organizations have taken steps to rehabilitate Butuanon River.

Butuanon River is just one of the many river systems in the country that have succumbed to heavy pollution and rapid urbanization according to Cimatu.

In DENR’s database, out of the recorded 421 river systems in the Philippines, 180 are already polluted while 50 are considered biologically dead and will need intensive rehabilitation to be revived. Other rivers, on the other hand, are highly contaminated with fecal coliform.

Secretary Cimatu believes that the summit will help their cause by raising awareness, resources, and commitment in restoring the rivers.

Mahiga River Park

With the international river summit held in Cebu City, the Cebu City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CCENRO) has decided to formally open Mahiga River Park along the three-meter easement of the Mahiga Creek.

CCENRO has used ecobricks and eco-pavers for the beautification of the park. Ecobricks are plastic bottles filled with plastic waste used to create reusable building blocks, while eco-pavers are crushed glass combined with cement. With such recycled materials, Cebu City spent only P50,000 for the project.

“The problem on garbage in this area before was really huge and even after our beautification efforts, there are still wastes. That is why we will closely monitor the area,” said CCENRO Chief Ma. Nida Cabrera.

Cabrera also added that the park is a the product of joint efforts from the city government and private sector. Donations of plastic bottles and other recyclable materials were crucial to the project.

The Mahiga River Park has been turned over by the CCENRO to the City’s Parks and Playgrounds to maintain. Barangay Mabolo, which is located near the park, will also help in monitoring and maintaining it.

Cabrera also added that she asked Mayor Tomas Osmeña to help secure the places by allowing the deployment of personnel from the barangay intelligence network.