DENR EMB to launch Butuanon cleanup drive

CEBU, Philippines - The Environmental Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) will launch a segregated cleanup of the Butuanon River and conduct a house-to-house information campaign as well as Operation "Dakop" on September 24.

The activity, in partnership with the public and private sectors, is part of EMB's "Adopt a River/Estero program with the aim of cleaning esteros of wastes, silt, and debris as its aim.

The activity is a tie-up with 11 barangays surrounding the Butuanon river, barangay Talamban in Cebu City, 18 companies and businesses surrounding the Butuanon river, the academe and other entities that wish to join the cleaning on September 24.

During the clean-up operation, some participants will be divided into two teams that will divided wastes and garbage into bio-degradable and non-biodegradable. Materials that cannot be recycled will be brought to the landfill.

During the House to house campaign, residents will also be informed of the implementation of the solid waste law and those who will violate the law will be penalized.

Once the cleanup operation is done, EMB will then undertake regular water quality monitoring of the selected points in the river.

The Butuanon river is a 23-kilometer waterway which traverses some barangays in Cebu City up to barangay Paknaan in Mandaue City and is surrounded not only by residents but also some commercial and business establishments. - THE FREEMAN