Why I like cleaning the Pasig River

It’s been quite an experience for me — that, even in the face of seemingly overwhelming endeavors like cleaning the Pasig River, my energy level just keeps going up and up, and my confidence that it can be done continues to escalate.

I think it’s because the more I talk to people, the more I realize that the Pasig River touches a button deep inside. I haven’t had anyone refuse to join arms in achieving this task. It’s like a groundswell with resonance — and on a deeper level, my experience of Divine Forces helping — that has made my life with the Pasig River Project very exciting and fulfilling.

These are some of the pictures of the work done so far.

So now we have to dredge and build beautiful easements. We hope the support comes in early enough so that we can have something to show by December.

It is important to note that after typhoon Ondoy, Kapit Bisig has stepped up its relocation efforts — from 30 families every week to more than a hundred. Although Ondoy was a most unfortunate circumstance, it’s actually made our relocation efforts easier. People living along the waterways know now that their lives are in danger — and all sectors fully realize the urgent necessity of relocating these people.

Private Sector/Government Partnership

I have nothing but accolades for the AFP: the Air Force, the Army and the Navy. Regularly they let us use their trucks for the relocation effort — and in relief efforts for Ondoy victims. They have been there diligently, 24/7. They even set up a dental and medical mission on site. To Gen.

Ibrado, Lt. Col. Hermoso, Lt. Gen. Bangit, Lt. Gen. Rabena, Vice Adm. Golez, Maj. Gen. Fojas, Maj. Gen. Sealana, B. Gen. Pangilinan, Sgt. Cortez: you and your men are heroes!

Similarly, the NHA has been a true partner in development, with the prequalification stage, processing and harmonious co-management of the Calauan Resettlement Site.

The city government has also helped demolish and clean up the debris after the relocation work was complete.

The Department of Agriculture has trained 100 families and given them vegetable seeds for their sustenance.

The DSWD will be building a day care center in the Calauan Site. My staff has nothing but praise for the efficiency and dynamism of Sec. Cabral and her team.

MMDA has also come forward in fixing the easements.

The PRRC has given machines for the material recovery facilities of four areas, including the Paco market and the Caluan Resettlement Site.

The TESDA team has been superlative. They teach our people with commitment. I am very much looking forward to the first graduation. Sec. Gen. Boboy Syjuco is a real partner in development. TESDA is very, very key in the quality of life of these people. I am happy to announce that even before the graduation some of the residents that took the TESDA training already have jobs!

Habitat’s Bert Jugo

Now I must mention Bert Jugo, the president of Habitat. This was the last big undertaking he was involved in. He has unfortunately passed away since beginning the work, but I am comforted by the conviction of others that he will help guide their efforts from “up above.” When Delfin Lee of Globe Asiatique said he would provide the material for the 800 unfinished houses, Bert immediately came to the forefront and supervised the construction. He arranged for insulation from San Miguel. Their team coordinated with Sec. Angie Reyes so that the site can have electrification. I have not the slightest doubt in my mind that he is in a very good place “up there.”

San Miguel’s Housing Check

Ramon Ang does not fit your usual mould of corporate executives. He is lighthearted, and actually quite funny. But when he believes in something he delivers. So I was quite pleased when San Miguel gave the check of P21 million for 300 houses. And he further promised to provide a poultry farm so that the people there will have livelihood projects. It’s great to work with executives who dish out social service in the same way that they do business.

Sun Life Gives To Housing

Forty nine million pesos. Five hundred eighty houses. That’s a very cool number. Spread over five years — from a company that was originally located along the Pasig River. And what excites me more is that their vision is environmental. They want to build environmental houses with solar panels, etc. Very, very cool!

What has caught me by surprise is the 180-degree turnaround by the people we have been relocating. My staff reports to me “Ma’am, they are clean!” Huh? These people that lived on top of open sewers — surrounded by stink and filth — actually have a sense of aesthetics and — joy of joys — even integrity!

This is Bugoy. I was very surprised when this little boy knocked at my door, gave me a wad of bills and said, “Ma’am nahulog sa bulsa mo.” I was shocked. The place he is from is notorious for bag and jewelry snatching.

And he returns money to me? So I gave him some money — and would have wanted to give him a bicycle except the staff said that this is reserved for the end of the academic year — for the students who do well. So we settled on an ABS-CBN jacket, hat and bag — which I gave in front of the whole community.

Oh, the stories of transformation are many — so how can I not be on anything but a high? And oh, the babies!

This is Juanita — the first baby born on site. Since the site is called Bayan Ni Juan, the mother named her Juanita. It’s amusing because when I heard a baby was born in Calauan I was so pleased I went to Rustan’s and bought her a nice baby bathtub, baby clothes, pillows — and as I was giving the items to her beaming mother, my staff tugged at me and said “Ma’am” — pointing to the people looking out from the window — “there are 20 pregnant women here in Calauan.” Oh, dear...

But look at Charice — this is the third baby born on site! She is absolutely angelic! She was born just a few hours before I took this picture. Can you imagine the karma of these babies? They could have been born in stink — but now they are born in a place where there is a commitment to their quality of life. I am proud to note that Charice’s father graduated at the top of the first TESDA class for electricians.

This is one family I am going to take care of.

The Power Of Many

In closing I would like to invite all to take part in the Pasig International Marathon. I am positioning this marathon to be a multi-sectoral statement that we want the Pasig River clean! If thousands upon thousands — from the academe, government, the private sector, families, the religious sector — care enough about the river to run for it — and it is done collectively on that day — I have no doubt that the Pasig will be clean. I need people to make a statement by running. It doesn’t have to be 42 kms. It can be three, five or 10. It can be a cumulative run — meaning, say, 14 of you choose to run in the name of your institute, the 3K route — you will have together run the equivalent of a marathon. I  would like to encourage such runs. If you want to run as an individual — that’s great. But if you also run together as a group representing your barangay, school or institution — and put the name of your organization on your race bib — that has punch! When institutions collectively make a statement, that’s powerful stuff. So if you want to run you can register at any Izod or Van Heusen store at the malls or you can e-mail us at ilogpasig@abs-cbn.com. You can also call 416-1911 or 415-2272 loc. 3797.

So by December we will have unclogged Paco. Then it’s on to San Juan and Marikina which sends 90,000 tons of toxic waste to the Pasig River.  I need all of Manila to run and provide the energy and momentum so that we can do this in a year. Then it’s on to Tondo, Binondo, Quiapo…

In seven years, if we work together — government, the private sector, the academe, everyone — we will have a cleaner river and a much, much brighter future.

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Visit http://www.abs-cbnfoundation.com. Or e-mail gina_lopez@abs.pinoycentral.com.