DENR orders cleanup of 12 rivers in Central Visayas

River rehabilitation. The sight of clogged waterways may soon be a thing of the past as the DENR 7 orders the comprehensive cleanup of 12 river systems in the region, six of which are in Cebu. (SunStar Foto / Amper Campaña)
River rehabilitation. The sight of clogged waterways may soon be a thing of the past as the DENR 7 orders the comprehensive cleanup of 12 river systems in the region, six of which are in Cebu. (SunStar Foto / Amper Campaña)

TWELVE rivers in Central Visayas have been identified by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) as “pilot river systems” for comprehensive cleanup.

This, after DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu ordered all regional directors to conduct cleanup on river systems situated within their localities or else they would lose their jobs.

DENR-Central Visayas Director Gilbert Gonzales said he already ordered all Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officers (Penros) to finalize the profiling of river systems in their areas and closely coordinate with local government units (LGUs) for the waterways’ immediate cleanup.

Of the 12 pilot river systems, six are in Cebu.

These are the Guadalupe and Sapangdako Rivers along with their tributaries in the cities of Cebu and Toledo; Bulacao River, which serves as a boundary between the cities of Cebu and Talisay; Guindaruhan River in Minglanilla town; and Luyang River in Carmen town.

The rivers in Bohol are the Abatan in Cortes, Inabanga in Inabanga and Manaba in Garcia Hernandez.

The rivers in Negros Oriental are the Banica in Dumaguete City, Panamangan in Bais City and Sicopong in Bayawan City.

Gonzales said rivers identified as pilot river systems are classified as Class C, or water bodies that are safe for propagation of fish, recreation and post-treatment manufacturing processes.

Gonzales said rivers with a Class C rating are in need of rehabilitation and must be restored back to their original state, especially if these are close to industrial and residential areas.

He said the cleanup of the pilot river systems must be done twice a month, particularly during the second and last Saturday.

Upon receiving the report, the Cebu City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CCenro) said it will create a task force to clean the city’s rivers.

Gonzales thanked the City Government for cooperating in the campaign.

“We welcome the active support and participation that we are now getting from our partner LGUs and other stakeholders in cleaning up of our rivers. Rest assured that DENR will extend all the necessary technical assistance,” he said.

Gonzales said he has ordered heads of Penros and Community Environment and Natural Resources Offices (Cenros) in Cebu to create a composite team that will closely coordinate with CCenro to implement the cleanup action plan.

The composite team will be composed of officials from the DENR-Central Visayas, Environmental Management Bureau, Mines and Geosciences Bureau, Department of the Interior and Local Government, LGUs, Penro, Cenro and members of the private sector.

During his speech during the 4th International River Summit (IRS) in Cebu, Cimatu ordered regional directors to assess rivers in their localities to determine if these are still clean.

Six months after the IRS, the DENR will hold the search for Rivers (Recognizing Individuals/ Institutions towards Vibrant and Enhanced Rivers) for Life Awards.

Aside from addressing river issues, such as clearing easement zones and cleaning up, the DENR 7 is also looking into other environmental issues in the region, such as the problem of solid waste, flooding and disaster risk reduction.

Meanwhile, CCenro chief Nida Cabrera said among their priorities is improving garbage collection in the mountain barangays and expanding the coverage of the single-use plastic ban ordinance.

Cabrera said these measures are also in response to the DENR’s call for a comprehensive cleanup of 12 pilot river systems in the region.

“I welcome the good news and development. We already included that in our priorities for next year. The rivers need to be cleaned because it will affect our water situation in the city. It’s a big challenge for us, but we’re willing to cooperate and work on this,” she said.

Cabrera said her office has started conducting education campaigns on proper solid waste management among residents in the upland barangays.

She said they met with officials of barangays surrounding the Guadalupe and Sapangdaku Rivers. These rivers, along with the Bulacao River, are among the pilot water systems identified by the DENR for the cleanup.

“The Cebu City Risk Reduction Management Council already has a task force for the relocation of affected individuals within the three-meter easement of these rivers,” she said.

Her office also installed bio-fences in river systems to collect trash. Made of plastic water bottles, the bio-fence is submerged underwater to act as garbage barriers. (From SCG of Superbalita Cebu/ JKV, RTF)

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