Petron to help rehab Marikina River

MANILA, Philippines - Petron Corp., one of the largest oil companies in the country, has expressed interest in helping the government rehabilitate the Marikina River under the Adopt-an-Estero program of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Ramon J. P. Paje, Petron Corp.’s chairman Ramon Ang and Petron president Eric Recto, will formalize the partnership today at the San Miguel Corp. head office in Mandaluyong City.

“Almost a year after it was launched in 2010, the ‘Adopt an Estero’ program has already gained widespread private sector support. The experiences of both our private sector and barangay partners are very inspiring especially when barangays tell us they have less flooding now and more community clean-up activities because of the program,” Paje said.

Under the agreement, Petron will undertake environmental improvement through dredging of creeks in the upstream portion of Marikina River.

Information and education campaigns, community mobilization activities, and trainings for concerned stakeholders in the area will also conducted to ensure the sustainability of the program.

For its part, the DENR through its EMB-National Capital Region and the Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) will intensify the water quality monitoring of industrial/commercial establishments, and provide technical assistance to concerned leaders and stakeholder groups in the area.

The DENR and Petron have also agreed to do a further study on additional dredging and desilting of the creek, introduction of interventions such as phyto-remediation through constructed wetlands, planting of bamboo and other plant species along the river banks, rip-rapping or coco-matting, construction, and greening of linear parks.

Launched in 2010 by the DENR, the Adopt-an-Estero/River Program is a collaborative undertaking between and among communities residing along esteros and rivers, donor-partners, local government units, and other government agencies.

The program aims to build partnerships among concerned sectors and organizations to restore the healthy state of esteros and rivers as well as safeguard the well-being of residents.