2 Cebu City rivers declared ‘dead’

CEBU, Philippines —  Kinalumsan River and Mahiga Creek—two of the 10 rivers in Cebu City have been classified as biologically dead, which refers to rivers that have become too polluted to sustain a healthy ecosystem.

“Too much na kaayo ang pollution sa mao nga lugar, gani sa first initial water analysis nga gi-conduct sa EMB-7, grabe gyud patay na ang duha ka rivers,” said Cebu City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CCENRO) head Nida Cabrera said.

CCENRO and the Environment and Management Bureau in Central Visayas conducted water tests to determine the conditions of the rivers.

Cebu City has 10 river systems.  These are Lahug River, Mahiga Creek, Kinalumsan River, Butuanon River, Guadalupe River, Lusaran River, Mananga River, Tinago River, T. Padilla River, and Tejero River.

Kinalumsan River and Mahiga Creek were first tested.

In Mahiga Creek, the river is exposed to contaminants and pollutants traced to urban development.

Cabrera said river pollution is mainly caused by the piggeries and factories.

Next to be tested is the Guadalupe River, a 12-kilometer water body which traverses in heavily populated areas in Metro Cebu.

The test could also uncover the other pollutants of the rivers. 

Cabrera said they are classifying and assessing the rivers in the city in a bid to institute mitigating measures to remove the accumulated mud and debris obstructing the free flow of tributaries.

Cabrera said the move aims also to determine the conditions of the rivers.

“Kinahanglan ma-classify siya para atong matan-aw og unsa na’y quality sa atong river. At the same time, ang katong gitawag nga na-discharge dinha ato pud ma-control,” she said.

Cabrera said rivers are polluted because wastes from business establishments are being discharged into the rivers and other bodies.

CCENRO is expected to come up with recommendations on how to revive and restore the cleanliness of river systems.

The office has been conducting public consultation on the issue since July this year. Residents, business owners and other concerned stakeholders along the Kinalumsan River and Mahiga Creek were gathered.

“Kibaw ko inig-raise nato sa category sa atong sapa, kinahanglan mo-come-up ta og standard nila nga buhaton, it might be sa ilahang discharge permit moapektar, mogasto sila og dugang,” Cabrera said.

She said the city is planning to install more biofences along the rivers and coastal rivers

A biofence is made of discarded plastic bottles. It prevents trash from being washed into the rivers and oceans.

Currently, biofences are installed at fish ports in barangays Suba and Sawang Calero, at the Tinago Promenade in Barangay San Roque, and on Barangay Tejero’s riverbank.  — KBQ (FREEMAN)