Online challenge draws 80 for Guadalupe River cleanup

Volunteers help clean the Guadalupe river in barangay Ermita during the 39th urban and coastal cleanup. The river exits to barangay Ermita and is being eyed for rehabilitation by the city government. (CDN PHOTO/ LITO TECSON)

About 80 people hauled out over 130 sacks filled with garbage from the Guadalupe River in a cleanup initiative called “Maghisgot Ta Ug Panglimpyo sa Suba Bay” yesterday.

Local and foreign students, working volunteers, the Naval Forces Center (NAVFORCEN), Rotaract Fuente and the Movement for a Livable Cebu cleaned a section of the Guadalupe River behind Visayan Glass.

The river cleanup was initiated as an online challenge in the Facebook group “Maghisgot Kitag Politika, Bay” managed by Emmanuel “Anol” Mongaya and Galbino “Ka Bino” Guerrero.

“The river is still alive, there are fishes and frogs, and we want to save it. We are always criticizing the government, but what are we doing? Now is the time that we should tell them that this is how we do it,” Guerrero told Cebu Daily News.

Private sector volunteers join barangay officials in cleaning up the Guadalupe River in barangay Ermita. (CDN PHOTO/ LITO TECSON)

The Guadalupe River is being considered by the Cebu City government for rehabilitation after it took inspiration from the River Esplanade of the Iloilo City government.

“Garbage had been a persistent problem for us. With this cleanup, I hope those living in Guadalupe will be motivated to help clean the river,” said Apol Enriquez, barangay Guadalupe councilperson.

Enriquez said they sent two garbage trucks to transport the collected garbage to the Consolacion private landfill site.

“The garbage is only part of a bigger problem. This is only a drop in the bucket, a small solution, that could hopefully ripple change,” Guerrero said.

He said a follow-up activity will be held on the third Sunday of next month.

Mongaya said they look forward to coordinating with the city government in helping rehabilitate and develop the Guadalupe River.

“I understand Mayor (Michael) Rama’s initiative is focused on the waterfront side.  Even so, we look forward to coordinating with the city,” Mongaya said in a text message to Cebu Daily News.

In  related developments, Cebu City Hall will donate used tires to be used as artificial coral reefs for fish sanctuaries.

The Cebu City Council authorized Mayor Michael Rama to enter into and sign a deed of donation with the Rotary Club of Cebu port Center for the donation.

Engr. Dionisio Gualiza, who heads City Hall’s General Services Office (GSO), said they have 300 used tires in their inventory.

Under the proposed Deed of Donation, the Rotary Club will use the tires for building artificial coral reefs and fish sanctuaries to help rehabilitate fish habitats./UP Cebu Intern Juli Ann M. Sibi