THE Butuanon River is now categorized as class C instead of D.
This was disclosed by Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes in his second State of the City Address (SOCA) last Monday, July 31, 2023.
Architect Araceli Barlam, head of the Mandaue City Environment and Natural Resources Office (MCENRO), stated on Tuesday, August 1, that the reclassification of Butuanon River had been revealed by the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB 7)in December last year.
She said it took them four years to wait for the river’s reclassification because of the pandemic.
"Ang classification sa ato ang water body is lain lain nu (of our water body is different). It is based on its beneficial use, its usage, so that was created many years ago," Barlam said.
"Kung ang river nato classification C, so ang atung existing classification sa Butuanon kay D, meaning last na siya sa a,b, c, d ug in terms sa level or number sa kahugaw or toxicity or whatever mao na ang pinaka-ubos na standard. So ing-ana lang ato situation nga magpabilin siya nga D, what do you expect nga kausaban", Barlam explained.
(If our river’s classification is C, then our existing classification in Butuanon is D, meaning it is last among a, b, c, d and in terms of the level or number of pollution or toxicity or whatever is the lowest standard. So just say in this situation that it e remains in D, what do you expect to change?)
According to denr.gov, the classification of the rivers is based from of Republic Act 9275 or the Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004.
RA 9275 mandates the DENR to categorize water bodies—whether freshwater or coastal—according to their quality, area, purpose and vulnerability to pollution.
Class D rivers means the water is ideal solely for agriculture, irrigation, and livestock.
The Class “C” pertains to fishery water for propagation and growth of fish and other aquatic resources.
The Class “B” refers to recreational water intended for primary contact recreation such as bathing and swimming.
Lastly, the Class A refers to intended primarily for waters having watersheds which are uninhabited and otherwise protected and which require only approved disinfection in order to meet the National Standards for Drinking Water (NSDW) of the Philippines.(HIC, TPT)