By Claro A. Lanipa
PAGADIAN CITY - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) through the Environment Management Bureau (EMB)-9 will spearhead this year’s World Water Day celebration with the theme, “Water is Power.”
EMB-9 Regional Director Jaqueline Caan-can said this year’s event will be highlighted by a signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on March 21, 2014 with the local government units (LGUs), academe and private organizations for the protection of the four water bodies in the city, namely, Balangasan River, Gatas Creek, Napolan River and Tuburan Creek.
Signatories to the MOA include barangays Balangasan, Napolan, Gatas, Tuburan and the city of Pagadian together with Jamellarin Hospital, Gaisano Mall, Zamboanga del Sur Maritime Institute and Technology (ZSMIT), Saint Columban College (SCC), Mindanao Golden Grain Corporation, and Zamboanga Motor Supply, Caan-can said.
On March 22, which is the World Water Day, a cleanup activity will be conducted on the above rivers.
A similar activity will be simultaneously conducted in all cities and provinces in the region, Caan-can pointed out.
It can be recalled that in 2010, DENR-EMB embarked on a nationwide campaign for the rehabilitation of rivers and creeks in all parts of the country.