By Alfonso T. Ruda
DIPOLOG CITY - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) here, in partnership with the Pollution Control Association of the Philippines Inc. (PCAPI) and the local government unit of Dipolog City conducted a cleanup drive.
Thursday in one of the water tributaries in the city in support of the the “Adopt a Estero Program.”
Residents of Barangay Sta. Isabel, personnel from the Provincial Environmenet and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) and Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO), city government officials and employees, officers and members of Pollution Control Association of the Philippines, Inc.
(PCAPI), beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program(4Ps) and representatives from Environment Management Bureau (EMB)-9 joined the cleanup activity.
PCAPI-Zamboanga del Norte Chapter President Javier Suico Jr. said PCAPI was organized in Sept. 2012 with pollution control officers as members.
“We formed this organization because of our concern on environment. The greatest enemy of environment is man itself. So, we have to correct the mistakes that man has committed to our environment,” Suico said.
During the opening program, Barangay Sta. Isabel Chaiman Dioscoro Endab thanked PCAPI for choosing the Miputak Creek of Barangay Sta. Isabel as the pilot area for the launching of “Adopt a Estero Program.”
“Through this program, we hope to maintain the cleanliness of the Miputak creek and show to the people that environmental concern is everyone’s responsibility,” Endab said.
Community and Environment and Natural Resources Officer Jeoffrey Zayas also reiterated the DENR’s mandate “to keep the people informed and to take cognizance of the value of ecological solid waste management,” reminding those living near the creek not to throw their wastes to the creek as these would not only make the surroundings look dirty but destory the marine life as well.
On the other hand, Dipolog City CENRO-designate Rodney Benedicto said that lots of wastes are now seen floating on some bodies of water - wastes which are made by man.
“If we want our children to live in a clean environment, let us make our earth free from wastes,” Benedicto said.
In a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signed last May 30 between PCAPI, DENR and the city government of Dipolog, PCAPI identified the Miputak Creek as its pilot area.
The parties agreed to conduct a cleanup drive on June 5 as its kick-off activity in time of the observance of the World Environment Day.
