Navotas City LGU initiates Bangkulasi River clean up
Published Aug 27, 2019 07:56 pm
By Minka Klaudia Tiangco
The Navotas City government started its clean-up drive at the Bangkulasi River Tuesday morning in compliance with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ (DENR) order to reduce levels of fecal coliform in the river.
(Photo courtesy of Navotas PIO)
DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu gave the Navotas City government until the end of the month to do this as part of the Manila Bay Rehabilitation Program. Bangkulasi River was identified as one of the filthy waterways draining into the Manila Bay.
A total of 54 river obstructions, which are sea vessels owned by local fisherfolk, were transferred from the Bangkulasi River to the Navotas Fish Port, said Navotas City Mayor Tobias “Toby” Tiangco.
Tiangco said that prior to this, a dialogue was held between the local government unit and the local fisherfolk so authorities can explain why the fisherfolks’ sea vessels need to be transferred.
The city mayor also said that those who lived in floating houses at the Bangkulasi River have already moved to an area near a river in Caloocan City.
Earlier, DENR Undersecretary Benny Antiporda said they will work on removing obstructions, relocating informal settlers, and sanctioning errant commercial establishments that dump waste in the river before they can work on the Bangkulasi River’s water quality.
Tiangco said he has yet to receive the list of establishments for suspension of mayor’s permit, but that he already instructed the Business Permit and Licensing Office to suspend the permits of said businesses once the list arrives.
“We are committed to that,” the city mayor said in a previous interview. “We will definitely close the establishments and suspend the permits.”
Officials from the DENR, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, the Philippine Coast Guard, the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority, and the Navotas City Police Station attended the clean-up drive.
Also present were officials of Barangays North Bay Boulevard South (NBBS) Kaunlaran, NBBS Dagat-dagatan and Bangkulasi, and employees of the City Environment and Natural Resources Office, City Agriculture Office and City Engineering Office.
(Photo courtesy of Navotas PIO)
DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu gave the Navotas City government until the end of the month to do this as part of the Manila Bay Rehabilitation Program. Bangkulasi River was identified as one of the filthy waterways draining into the Manila Bay.
A total of 54 river obstructions, which are sea vessels owned by local fisherfolk, were transferred from the Bangkulasi River to the Navotas Fish Port, said Navotas City Mayor Tobias “Toby” Tiangco.
Tiangco said that prior to this, a dialogue was held between the local government unit and the local fisherfolk so authorities can explain why the fisherfolks’ sea vessels need to be transferred.
The city mayor also said that those who lived in floating houses at the Bangkulasi River have already moved to an area near a river in Caloocan City.
Earlier, DENR Undersecretary Benny Antiporda said they will work on removing obstructions, relocating informal settlers, and sanctioning errant commercial establishments that dump waste in the river before they can work on the Bangkulasi River’s water quality.
Tiangco said he has yet to receive the list of establishments for suspension of mayor’s permit, but that he already instructed the Business Permit and Licensing Office to suspend the permits of said businesses once the list arrives.
“We are committed to that,” the city mayor said in a previous interview. “We will definitely close the establishments and suspend the permits.”
Officials from the DENR, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, the Philippine Coast Guard, the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority, and the Navotas City Police Station attended the clean-up drive.
Also present were officials of Barangays North Bay Boulevard South (NBBS) Kaunlaran, NBBS Dagat-dagatan and Bangkulasi, and employees of the City Environment and Natural Resources Office, City Agriculture Office and City Engineering Office.