by:
Rosevirico A. Tan
Pagadian
City, June 6 (PIA) -- Heavy rains did not dampen the spirit of the people who
trooped to the River Clean-Up activity spearheaded by the Department of
Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region IX at Balangasan River, Pagadian
City in observance of World Environment Day on June 5, 2012.
Barangay
officials and residents joined DENR-IX personnel and representatives from other
government agencies, local government units of the province and city, ROTC
cadets, PNP and Philippine Army in expressing their concern for the environment
by cleaning up Balangasan River, a major river system running through the urban
center of the city.
The
river clean-up was conducted in
Barangays Dumagoc, Sta. Lucia, Balangasan and Sto. Nino. These are the
areas were Balangasan River traverses on its way to the sea.
The
half-day activity also involved an information campaign on the residents,
particularly those living along the river banks, to keep their surroundings
clean and refrain from dumping their garbage in the river to minimize pollution
and the spread of diseases.
The river
clean-up is just a part of a series of activities lined up by DENR-IX in
celebration of Philippine Environment Month from June 1-30, 2012 with the theme
“Green Economy: Does It Include You?”
The UN Environment
Programme defines the Green Economy as one that results in improved
human well-being and social equity, while significantly reducing environmental
risks and ecological scarcities.
In its simplest
expression, a green economy can be thought of as one which is low
carbon, resource efficient and socially inclusive.
(DENR9/CAL/PIA9)