Walk kicks off Iloilo River Watch project
The Iloilo City Government, spearheaded by the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (Cenro) in close partnership with the Youth Eco Defenders here will launch the Operation Bantay Suba starting with a walk for a cause on January 17.
“Bantay Suba aims to encourage Ilonggos to be more concerned and participative about the plight of the Iloilo River,” said Mayor Jerry Treñas who also chairs the Iloilo River Development Council (IRDC).
A River Walk will start at 7 a.m. from the new Carpenter’s Bridge all the way to the Iloilo Boulevard up to Gaisano City area then to Promenade passing through Drilon Bridge to Muelle Loney to mark the launching program at Freedom Grandstand on Sunday.
The assembly and registration of participants will start at 6am at the Carpenter’s Bridge.
Some 1,000 participants coming from the academe, youth, business sector, civic groups, non-government organizations, environment advocates, and religious sector are expected to join the river walk.
During the launching activity, Bantay Suba volunteers will be deputized to guard round-the-clock on several shifts the riverbank from littering and vandalism.
The “river watch” volunteers include members of NGO Bantay Bayan, Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary and Philippine Naval Auxiliary Reserve.
The Bantay Suba volunteers will assist the IRDC in the monitoring and implementation of laws relevant to the preservation of Iloilo River including mangrove protection, anti-illegal encroachment, anti-illegal fishing, and proper solid waste and wastewater management.
The initiative is anchored on the Iloilo River Development Master Plan (IRDMP) which envisions at reviving and preserving the Iloilo River. (Iloilo City PIO)
