Environment office gets 40 more partners for ‘estero’ program

THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has gained another 40 new partners for its “Adopt-an-Estero/Water Body Program,” a multi-sectoral partnership aimed at restoring the quality of creeks and rivers in the country.

DENR Secretary Ramon Paje said the program continues to bring in fruitful collaboration not just with the private sector, but also with barangays and estero communities in cleaning up their rivers and creeks.

“We are sincerely grateful to our private sector and local government partners for committing to restore heavily polluted water bodies in the region. We look forward to bringing in more companies like you to ensure the success of this program,” he said.

The newest set of partners signed their respective memoranda of agreement (MOAs) during the 25th anniversary celebration of the DENR in Malacañang recently.

As agreed by the private partners, the waterways identified will serve as pilot areas for introducing engineering interventions along with immediate surface clean-up solutions to help improve the condition of each creek, Paje said.

The DENR through the Environmental Management Bureau regional offices, and/or the Laguna Lake Development Authority, as may be appropriate, will intensify monitoring of industrial/commercial establishments, and undertake, among others, regular water quality monitoring and provide the necessary technical assistance to concerned leaders and stakeholder groups in the area.

Launched in 2010, the program has drawn together a total of 315 partners from the private sector and the local government. (SDR/Sunnex)