8 firms sign pact with DENR to clean rivers, creeks, esteros

 CEBU, Philippines - Eight private companies and corporations recently signed a memorandum of agreement to cleanup seven rivers, creeks and esteros in Central Visayas in support of the “adopt-an estero or  waterbody” program of the Department of  Environment and Natural Resources-7.

  Isabelo R. Montejo, DENR-7 executive director, said that with the support of the private sector, DENR intends to institutionalize proper waste management practices such as waste minimization and resource recovery among  the estero communities.

  The new collaborators that signed the partnership are Aquilini Mactan Renewable Energy Inc., Atlas Fertilizer Corporation, Carmen Copper Corporation, Tsuneishi Heavy Industries Inc., Global Business Power, San Miguel Brewery Inc., Monde Nissin Corporation  and the Cebu Industrial Park Developer Inc.

  Among the rivers and creeks that are up for restoration and rehabilitation are Butuanon, Tipolo, Buanoy, Arpili, Sapangdaku, Cantabaco Bay, and Luray.

 The Linis Estero program of the DENR aims to mobilize adjacent communities and industries to stop illegal dumping of wastes. It also hopes to maintain proper sanitation to minimize threats to public health and safety.

 Montejo also encouraged the public to participate and to take part in cleaning up their nearby river, canal or esteros, in collaboration with their local government officials and partner stakeholders to maintain a clean and pollution free water bodies in the region.

  With the reported flooding during heavy rains in some urban areas, Montejo added these organizations together with the communities themselves could initiate declogging of trash and other litters on our waterways to ensure unimpeded flow of water and reduce pollution loading to the rivers.

  As of November 21 this year, the list of partners or adoptors moved up to 22 or an increase of  22 percent of this year’s target of 18. (FREEMAN)