CAPITOL employees and street cleaners of Talisay City cleaned up the Mananga River yesterday as part of the yesterday’s World Water Day celebration.
Czareem Joseph Estella, head of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office said they chose Mananga River because of its garbage problem, especially in the barangay Lawaan 3 portion.
Estella said when he went to the area, he noticed plenty of coconut shells dumped along the riverbank.
“It’s really an acknowledged fact, kuwang pa gyod ta og knowledge sa RA 9003 or the Solid Waste Management Act,” he said.
Aside from garbage, there was also evidence of illegal quarrying in the river.
Estella said he already tasked a team from PENRO to monitor illegal activities in the river with the coordination of the residents.
Dennis Chiong, operations head of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) said residents living near the river should take the initiative of keeping it clean.
Chiong said holes in the riverbed indicate sand and gravel quarrying which could be illegal.
Talisay City Mayor Johny delos Reyes did not attend yesterday’s celebration but sent his daughter, Johnson Joy delos Reyes-Pagunsan.