Microorganisms in river give hope to rehab work

Hopes on rehabilitation of what was believed to be biologically dead Butuanon River in Mandaue City gained strength with the recent findings of "live microorganisms" thriving in the river.

Ivy Tariman, head of Secretariat of the Metro Cebu Environmental Initiative Council, said that based on their Rapid Rural Appraisal of the river, it was found out that despite the fact that the river is swamped with human and animal waste, there are living microorganisms thriving in there.

"Generally, the river is very dirty but what amazed us is that it can be rehabilitated because of the presence of live microorganisms," Tariman said during their situationer briefing at the Mandaue City Hall.

Ten barangay captains in the city had asked for financial assistance for the cleanup of Butuanon River, which will be converted into an eco-tourism site.

These barangays are Tabok, Paknaan, Canduman, Umapad, Ibabao-Estancia, Alang-Alang, Cabancalan, Maguikay, Casuntingan and Tingub.

The 10 barangays with boundaries adjoined to the Butuanon River asked for support from the city government through Mayor Thadeo Ouano in line with his vision of rehabilitating the said river.

As a gesture of the city's support to this undertaking, Ouano through the city council appropriated P50,000 for each barangay or a total of P500,000 for the said cleanup. - Mitchelle P. Calipayan