Over 2,500 volunteers from the MIMAROPA region will show up to do their part in simultaneously cleaning up 11 rivers in the MIMAROPA region on March 22 in celebration of the World Water Day.
In a statement sent Tuesday, the regional office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said numerous individuals, local government units (LGUs), non-government organizations (NGOs), the academe, religious groups, and even multinational companies have signified support to the simultaneous river cleanup drive.
Dubbed “Water for all now and foRiver,” the activity will take off from this year’s theme of the World Water Day celebration, which is “Water for all, leaving no one behind”, and concerted efforts of various stakeholders to save rivers from pollution, and achieve safe water for the present and future generations.
In Palawan, it will target to clean Tagburos River in Puerto Princesa City, Abongan River in Taytay, Sitio Manggahan 1 and 2 and Bakawan Creeks in Coron, Buligay River in Brooke’s Point, Umalad River in Roxas, and Panitian River in Quezon.
In the MIMAROPA, the cleanup will be in Sabang River (Sablayan) and Pandurucan River (San Jose) in Occidental Mindoro; Calapan River in Oriental Mindoro; Boac River in Marinduque and Bangon-Bongoy River in Romblon.
“It is a big event. The preparations are no joke. Our Environmental Management Bureau, our Provincial and Community Environment and Natural Resources Offices (PCENROs), and even our staff from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) are joining forces to make this activity possible,” DENR MIMAROPA regional executive director Henry Adornado said in the statement.
As of press time, more volunteers are confirming their attendance, and various groups are signifying their intent to “adopt” a river.
“It brings us great relief knowing that we are not alone in this endeavor,” he said.
“This only shows that the public is getting more involved in protecting and saving our environment. Kaya ngayon pa lang po, lubos na kaming nagpapasalamat sa lahat ng mga nagpahayag ng kanilang suporta,” he said further.
Rivers are essential to all living beings. It is one of the sources of water and serves as the habitat of various fish species that provide livelihood and food to people. Due to negligence, however, many rivers are now polluted and are under threat from human activities.
“Let us not wait for our rivers to die. Let us act together as One MIMAROPA towards a single and noble purpose so that we can achieve water for all, now and foRiver,” Adornado said.
http://https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_pBt0Xqur8&feature=youtu.be
