Cleanup efforts keep Las Piñas rivers clear, improve water flow
River warrior collect floating garbage and other waste from the waterways as part of the Villar Foundation’s continuing river rehabilitation efforts in Las Piñas (Photo courtesy of Villar Foundation)
About 40 kilometers of waterways in Las Piñas and nearby areas are undergoing regular cleanup as workers remove garbage, clear riverbanks and dredge sections clogged by accumulated silt.
The cleanup covers the Las Piñas, Molino and Zapote rivers, where floating waste and debris are routinely collected.
Workers also monitor sections where obstructions or heavy silt buildup could affect the movement of water. Heavy equipment is used for dredging and desilting in critical portions of the waterways.
The effort is particularly focused on maintaining the rivers’ capacity to carry water and limiting the amount of solid waste that eventually reaches Manila Bay.
Twenty-six River Warriors conduct daily patrols along the waterways and are tasked with collecting garbage and clearing obstructions.
The cleanup is part of the Las Piñas-Zapote River Rehabilitation Program, also known as Sagip Ilog, being implemented by the Villar Foundation under the leadership of former senator Cynthia A. Villar.
The program covers about 10 kilometers of the Las Piñas River, 10 kilometers of the Molino River and 20 kilometers of the Zapote River.
The program has been maintained for more than two decades, with regular cleanup and rehabilitation continuing along the waterways.