MANILA, Philippines - The benefits of clean waterways ripple across distances and generations, which is why the urgent task of bringing vitality back to choking esteros rests on the shoulders of everyone in the community. For its part, DMCI Homes, leading developer of themed communities for middle-income families, has been undertaking the cleanup of a 1.63-kilometer section of the Pasong Tamo Riverunder the “Adopt-An-Estero†program of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
In partnership with Rotary Club of Diliman Silangan, a cleanup activity was conducted on March 2, which started on Jem 5 Bridge, coursed through Brgy. Bahay Toro and ended on Carmel Avenue. The event was joined by barangay residents and leaders, as well as volunteers from stakeholder institutions.
The first phase of the rehabilitation efforts that began last year included immediate decongestion of the creek, and it was crucial to galvanize the support and participation of the members of the barangay. Information and educational campaign posters were distributed to Brgy. Bahay Toro and Brgy. Culiat. The local government deployed garbage trucks and helped with the disposal of collected solid wastes. To ensure that the adopted creek remains clear of garbage, trash traps were installed along portions of Pasong Tamo River and those caught throwing garbage into the creek will be apprehended. Signatories of the program will also help the barangays to draft an ordinance in support of the river cleanup.
Metro Manila estuaries have become a breeding ground for diseases like dengue and acute gastro-enteritis, endangering the very lives of the people who depend on the river for their homes and livelihood, especially children and other vulnerable sectors. Those living in the vicinity of Pasong Tamo River have complained of flooding and reeking waters.
Brgy. Bahay Toro mobilized 50 individuals from the Clean and Green Team who will be joined by a group from the Waste Disaster Management of the city government. The barangay deployed standby garbage trucks as well as ladders to help the volunteers access the creeks. More helping hands came from the Rotary Club of Diliman Silangan, which sent people from the Boy Scouts of the Philippines, and provided trash pickup tools for most of the volunteers. DENR brought in additional manpower to help with the morning cleanup, and DMCI Homes enlisted volunteers from its own work force.
“DMCI Homes has a residential project in the area and we consider ourselves part of the community of Diliman Silangan so we are really committed to this undertaking,†said Alfredo Austria, DMCI Homes president. “We are actively helping the city with their environmental campaign on cleanliness and recycling.â€