Over 2,500 volunteers from all walks of life are expected to show up and do their part in cleaning up 11 rivers simultaneously in MIMAROPA region in celebration of World Water Day on March 22.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources – MIMAROPA said on Tuesday, numerous individuals, local government units, non-government organizations, the academe, religious groups, and even multinational companies have been signifying their support to the agency’s simultaneous river cleanup drive.
Dubbed “Water for all now and foRiver,” the activity takes off from the theme of this year’s World Water Day celebration, “Water for all, leaving no one behind,” and the concerted efforts of various stakeholders to save rivers from pollution, and achieve safe water for the present and future generations.
It targets to clean and eventually improve the water quality of the following rivers in MIMAROPA, namely Sabang River (Sablayan) and Pandurucan River (San Jose) in Occidental Mindoro; Calapan River in Oriental Mindoro; Boac River in Marinduque; Bangon-Bongoy River in Romblon; and Umalad River (Roxas), Abongan River (Taytay), Tagburos River (Puerto Princesa), Sitio Manggahan 1 and 2, and Bakawan Creeks (Coron), Buligay River (Brooke’s Point), and Panitian River (Quezon) in Palawan.
“It is a big event. The preparations are no joke. Our Environmental Management Bureau,
our Provincial and Community Environment and Natural Resources Offices, and even our staff from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau are joining forces to make this activity possible,’ DENR MIMAROPA Regional Executive Director Henry Adornado remarked.
“It brings us great relief knowing that we are not alone in this endeavor,” he said.
As of press time, more volunteers are confirming their attendance, and various groups are signifying their intent to “adopt” a river.
“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,” the Director expressed.
Rivers are essential to all living beings. It is one of the sources of water, and serves as 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,” RED Adornado concluded.
To those who wish to join the river cleanup drive, please see details on facebook.com/DENRMIMAROPAOfficial and mimaropa.gov.ph.
