Thousands join ‘orchestrated’ cleanup of CV water bodies

CEBU, Philippines - Thousands joined in a two-day cleanup drive in Central Visayas which was aimed to inspire and empower communities to conserve the environment.

This month is designated as the National Cleanup Month spearheaded by the Environmental Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-7, through its Adopt-a-Waterbody Program.

Engr. William Cunado, EMB-7 acting director, said they encouraged and mobilized their partner stakeholders to actively join in the two-day orchestrated cleanup of water bodies, which kicked off yesterday.

The activity carries the themes: “Our Place…Our Planet…Our Responsibility” and “Bayanihan para sa limpyo nga katubigan ug kadagatan.”

“We are responsible in keeping our planet balanced and healthy – free of trash and pollution that can damage it. Let us prove to the world that scaling up to better environmental performance translates to better environmental and economic outcomes and offer more opportunities to further sustainability,” the EMB-7 said in a statement.

The EMB-7 added that its partner stakeholders are encouraged to join in the worldwide event.

“Together we create a more significant impact that could be felt not only in the community where we belong, but right across Central Visayas, right across the planet,” it added.

Various companies, local government units, national government agencies, schools, civic organizations, church and other partner stakeholders joined the event that started from 5:30 a.m. to 9 a.m.

The coastal and river cleanup points are in Mandaue City, whole stretch of Butuanon River, Jagobiao Creek and Tipolo Creek.

Also included are the coastal and inland barangays of Cebu City (52 barangays), Lapu-Lapu City (30 barangays), Talisay City, Cordova town, East of Poblacion in Naga City and Minglanilla.

The rivers of Naga City including the Mainit, Naalad, Pangdan, Tinaan, Lutac, Uling, and Cantao-an and Tuyan-Inayagan Creek are also included as well as the water bodies in Bogo City, including the  San Vicente Wharf, Bogo Reclamation Area, Barangay Gairan Mangrove Area,  Barangay Cogon Canal,  Barangay La Purisima Concepcion and Barangay Siocon.

The water bodies included in Daanbantayan are the Poblacion River and the shorelines in Barangay Agujo, Barangay Tapilon, Barangay Bitoon and Barangay Paypay.

Other LGUs in Cebu, Bohol, Negros and Siquijor also joined the activity. —/NSA (FREEMAN)