CITY OF SAN FERNANDO-- A shift towards a certain goal for the provinces of Region III in reviving Manila Bay seems probable, according to Supreme Court Associate Justice Presbitero Velasco, Jr.
In the recently held Area-Based Management Summit, he stressed that it may be a better goal for the officials of the Local Government Units in Central Luzon to give more consideration on the preservation of the water quality of the major river systems and waterways in the five provinces included in the Manila Bay Advisory Committee-Pampanga, Bulacan, Bataan, Tarlac and Nueva Ecija.
“Probably, there should be a shift towards that [goal] because are the ones who will be directly affected by whatever happens to your environment in your respective provinces. And this shift should be gradual,” Velasco said.
“Instead of focusing on the overall goal, which is the preservation of Manila Bay, let’s just focus on the restoration of the water quality to classification SB in the rivers and waterways in each of your provinces,” he suggested.
Furthermore, he stated that such effort in protecting and preserving the region’s water bodies, rivers and waterways would be most beneficial to the people of Central Luzon.
“In foreign countries, [you] see how rivers are also used as means of transportation, which could help ease the growing heavy traffic in your region. Also, rivers can be used in irrigation systems,” Velasco added.
“Of course, rivers are sources of food—fish. What’s more, rivers also provide fertile soil, which is why there are deltas, from where the soil penetrates. It is on such soil where vegetables can be planted by the residents living near the riverbanks,” he furthered.
In sum, Velasco emphasized that because of the enormous benefits which can be obtained from the rivers, there is more reason for the executive heads of Central Luzon to “focus [our] minds and time towards preserving the quality of the rivers.”
He told everyone to not take for granted the rivers and waterways in the region and gear towards the “gradual” shift in preserving the latter, and in lieu, restoring the former glory of Manila Bay.
Themed “Synergy of Central Luzon Leaders Envisioning a Cleaner Manila Bay”, the Area-Based approach concentrated on major interventions per river system that drains into the Manila Bay namely Pampanga River Basin, Marilao-Meycauayan-Obando River System, and Talisay River.
The Manila Bay area in Central Luzon covers 96 towns and cities in the provinces of Bataan, Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, Pampanga, and Tarlac. (CLJD/JRAA-PIA 3)