Post-script to the river summit

At the conclusion of the International River Summit, the real work for sustainability commenced. River advocates signed a covenant to ensure that the river network and all efforts to keep all the rivers protected would not end at the closing of the summit. Now, it is up to the participating agencies and local governments to ascertain that the efforts, and I must say investments, for the initiatives relating to keeping rivers in a healthy state are not wasted.

If there was one thing I realized in the IRS, it was that the problem of polluted rivers is a global concern, and my qualms about showcasing the Butuanon River in its deplorable state only proved me shallow. The problem of Butuanon is not isolated. Many rivers around the world have been afflicted by neglect and the indiscriminate throwing of garbage. The scene of people wading or bathing in a pool of virus and bacteria-inflicted waters is common in all poor regions of the world and does not even exempt first-world countries.

The gauntlet has opened. The path to restoring our rivers to life has started. And we are talking here about more than creating parks or viewing decks which, for good measure, brought the awareness on rivers and creeks to fore. We have begun giving life and hope to God’s creation which in the beginning He entrusted under our stewardship. Thus we must seriously take into account the total infrastructure of this program. All people and not just those living along the banks should be given continuous education on how to take care of these bodies of water.

Strict implementation of policies on waste disposal is among the key factors. Others include no throwing of garbage anywhere; segregation of wastes according to recyclability and non-utilization; apprehension and application of penalties to those who do not follow the law; and empowerment of citizens to admonish anyone who throws their trash on the streets or anywhere as these all gather at the drains and choke the flow of rainwater that cause floods. If the garbage manage to sieve through the drains, they either end up clogging the mouth of the culverts or stagnate the outfalls or the rivers themselves.

The IRS was a call not just for the survival of the rivers but for mankind. And though the mandate to keep the environment safe may rest heavily on the local governments and the environment-related agencies, it is also imperative for every citizen to take an active stance on this and perhaps participate in a true revolution to keep at least their surroundings clean.

I thank the local governments of Mandaue and Cebu cities that have exerted effort and exercised their mandates to clear the rivers. I particularly appreciate the untiring efforts of Vice Mayor Carlo Fortuna and his team who rose above all uncertainties and adversities to seriously take on the responsibility of being this year’s summit host, and for Mayor Luigi Quisumbing’s impetus and confidence that it could be done.

Again, greater things are yet to come and greater things are still to be done for our rivers. May God bless our plans.