2,600 kg of wastes collected in San Juan River

Volunteers cleaning the San Juan River in Brgy. Parian, Calamba City, Laguna

In advance celebration of the First Year Anniversary of the Battle for Manila Bay, PENRO Laguna and CENRO Sta. Cruz led a clean-up activity in San Juan River last January 24, 2020.

A total of 2,600 kilograms of residual wastes were collected along the 400-meter stretch of Brgys. Parian and 2 in Calamba City, Laguna and were hauled by the City-ENRO of Calamba.

“Sa basura, may magagawa tayo... darating ang panahon na itong lawa ng Laguna, kung hindi tayo titigil sa pagtatapon ng basura, magiging isang malaking basurahan at ang salinlahi ang maiiwan”, said For. Ronilo L. Salac, the PENR Officer of PENRO Laguna.

Meanwhile, Engr. John M. Cerezo, Provincial Director of DILG Laguna, emphasized the significant role of the Barangays in cleaning the river. “Kayo pong mga barangay ang maiiwan, ang mamamahala…sa tulong ng mga barangay, sana po malinis natin lahat at maibalik natin ang ilog sa dating daloy nito. Kami pong mga ahensya ay support lang, kayo po ang bida rito.”

Further, Mr. Israel Somera of PG-ENRO Laguna relayed the call of Laguna Governor Ramil Hernandez to the residents of the province. He said “Sana po sama-sama ang buong Laguna sa paglilinis ng kailugan dito sa lalawigan natin. Isapuso po natin ang ating ginagawa at ibahagi natin ang tamang pagtatapon ng basura sa mga kakilala natin.”

381 individuals from PENRO Laguna, CENRO Sta. Cruz, PEMU Laguna, PG-ENRO Laguna, LLDA, DILG Laguna, DILG Region IV-A, PCG, BJMP, PNP, City-ENRO of Calamba, Yakult, Brgy. Parian and Brgy. 2 volunteered for the said event. The activity was also graced by CENRO Victor H. Mercado of CENRO Sta. Cruz, Brgy. Captain Rodney P. Perez of Brgy. Parian, and Brgy. Captain Joanne M. de Mesa of Brgy. 2.

The Battle for Manila Bay was launched by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources last January 27, 2019 along with the other 12 mandamus agencies, by conducting a solidarity walk followed by the nationwide simultaneous clean-ups. Since then, series of clean-ups have been organized by DENR CALABARZON in support to the Manila Bay Rehabilitation Program.
( ANN Hazel D. Javier)