Iloilo City joins global river clean up
Ilonggos will converge Thursday for a clean-up of the Iloilo River in relation to the celebration of World Water Week.
World Water Day is commemorated every March 22nd, and World Water Week is from March 22-31 every year.
This international observance is an initiative that was the result of the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro.
The event on March 25 is simultaneous all over the country to highlight the significance of cooperation among various stakeholders of the environment, public and private sector and the local government units.
Leading the clean-up for the city government is the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) and the Iloilo River Development Council (IRDC) headed by CENR officer Noel Hechanova.
The activity will start with a short program at around 6:30 a.m. by the Carpenter’s Bridge in Mandurriao district, followed by a clean-up of Iloilo River along the stretch of Efrain B. Treñas Boulevard up to the foot of Forbes Bridge in Lapaz district.
Hechanova said he will deploy at least 60 CENRO personnel for the clean-up.
Expected also to participate are members of the Philippine Navy, Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary, business groups, and health buffs who frequent the boulevard for their exercise regime, among others.
Facilitating the event is the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
“It is but fitting to return to the famous Iloilo River, which now forms part of the ‘Iloilo River-Batiano River Water Quality Management Area’ in consonance with the Clean Water Act, and the present focal point of eco-tourism and economic development in the city,” said DENR-CENRO Bernabe Garnace.
He said the undertaking aims to enhance public awareness and active participation in addressing the urgent need of keeping waterways and water resources always clean, healthy and available, now that climate change and El Niño phenomenon are both felt.
This year’s international theme is “Clean Water for a Healthy World,” while the local version is “Tubig ay Buhay: Wastong Paggamit Kailangang Tunay.” (PNA)
