DepEd, Mandaue back program to revive river

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Education-Mandaue City Division and the Mandaue City Government have expressed their support to the Environmental Management Bureau’s programs for the revitalization of the Butuanon River.

The EMB-7 initially proposed the #iambutuanon Project that is aimed at rehabilitating Butuanon River in Mandaue City with an integrated approach in unity with all concerned stakeholders.

EMB-7 director William Cuñado in a statement said that the Project shall be implemented phase by phase in view of achieving ecological integrity while promoting social equity and economic vitality.

Cuñado said it will encourage responsible tourism, create a green economy, foster sound environmental governance and advance social welfare at the grassroots level.

This #iambutuanon Project shall cultivate responsive behavior and learning that leads to action as it addresses in time the basic needs of the communities along Butuanon River, he said.

EMB-7 expressed the urgency for the government to address the need of the disadvantaged families for food, shelter, health and transformative education so they can significantly contribute in the restoration of Butuanon River.

The project shall pool resources out among the partner implementers and from international organizations to cater the basic needs of the informal settlers.

Establishing sustainable and eco-friendly schools is one of the implementing components of the #iambutuanon Project.

The Sustainable Schools Program of EMB is aiming for transformative learning by embedding sustainability.

Eight schools in the city situated near the Butuanon River were chosen as pilot institutions this 2016. These include Tabok 1 Elementary School, Umapad Elementary School, Paknaan Elementary School, Ibabao-Estancia Elementary School, Labogon National High School, Canduman National High School, Mandaue City Science High School, and Paknaan National High School.

Aside from the establishment of sustainable and eco-friendly schools,    EMB-7 also expected DepEd-Mandaue to help by allowing the secondary schools to participate in the revitalization of Butuanon River.

The Mandaue City Government, for their part, also approved the proposed #iambutuanon Project of the EMB-7 with key officials and the Butuanon River Watershed Management Board (BRWMB).

The city allocated P13.5 million for Butuanon’s rehabilitation. The budget is intended for infrastructure.

The #iambutuanon Project is accepted to be one of the activities under the banner of the #iammandaue brand to help realize its goals for a livable society.

The Project will help the city implement adaptation measures to climate change for communities to be resilient, and strictly implement the relevant environmental laws particularly on solid waste and water quality management. — (FREEMAN)