2,000 volunteers eyed to clean up city rivern

CEBU, Philippines — At least 2, 000 volunteers are expected to join the cleanup drive for the three biggest rivers in Cebu City Bulacao, Lahug and Guadalupe.

Cebu City Environment and Natural Resources Office head Ma. Nida Cabrera said she is confident to get enough number of volunteers because there are plenty who showed interest to participate.

“Ubay-ubay ang nisubmit for registration for cleanup. We expect nga moabot mi sa 2, 000 ka volunteers,” she told reporters.

(Several signed up for the cleanup. We expect to reach the 2,000 volunteers.)

Cabrera said the information dissemination about the cleanup drive helped a lot in encouraging interested individuals to join. She said various government agencies helped them in inviting volunteers. Mayor Tomas Osmeña also invited volunteers through his Facebook account.

Most of the volunteers are from business establishments, civic organizations, and Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) agents, among others. Cabrera said every cleanup drive volunteers shall bring boots, gloves, and other cleaning materials.

“Sa among volunteers amo sila gipa-prepare, magdala sila og gamit, sapatos nila or boots, gloves para protection sa kamot, tools, rakes, og naa’y sako,” she said.

(We asked the volunteers to prepare protective gears like boots and gloves, tools, rakes and empty sack)

CCENRO together with the volunteers is scheduled to clean up Bulacao River on February 23; Lahug River on March 9; and Guadalupe River on March 16.

CCENRO will also install bio-fences along the stretches of these rivers. These bio-fences, which are made of recycled plastic bottles wrapped in fishnets, will trap garbage and prevent them from drifting into the sea.

CCENRO is scheduled to meet officials of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office on February 14 to finalize the plans for the rehabilitation and restoration of rivers.

CCENRO will also be meeting the barangays where Bulacao River traverses to discuss their responsibilities in maintaining cleanliness. Aside from Bulacao, the other barangays that shared the river are Toong, Pamutan, and Inayawan.

“I-discuss ang responsibilities kay i-turn over namo sa ilaha sa community kay dili mahimo nga CCENRO ra. Dapat naa’y continuation sa kalimypo para makapasar na sa standard ang Bulacao River sa water quality,” Cabrera said.

CCENRO initially visited the 11-meter stretch of Bulacao River where a pile of garbage allegedly from business establishments is visible. Cabrera said she invited the business establishments to a meeting to encourage them to help clean up the river.

“Identified namo kinsa ni, napadad-an na og suwat for invitation sa meeting kay they have to maintain the cleanliness gyud,” Cabrera said.—  FPL (FREEMAN)