40 firms join DENR drive on river, creek cleanup

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has gained 40 new partners for its “Adopt-an-Estero/Water Body Program,” a multi-sectoral partnership aimed at restoring the environmental quality of creeks and rivers in the country.

DENR Secretary Ramon Paje said the program, launched in 2010, continues to bring in fruitful collaboration not just with the private sector but also with barangays and estero communities in cleaning up their rivers and creeks.

The newest set of partners signed their respective memoranda of agreement during the 25th anniversary celebration of the DENR in Malacañang recently. 

Topping the list of adopters is SM Prime Holdings for the plan to rehabilitate the 10-kilometer stretch of San Juan River, for a partnership of five years. 

From industries located in Laguna, the newest adopters are Amkor Technology Philippines Inc. for the Barangay Malamig creek (one km); AP Renewable Inc. for Tigsa River in Barangay Calauan (one km); CMPC and BEVCO Philippines Inc. for a creek along NIA Road in Barangay Pulo, Cabuyao (one km); Filinvest Land Inc. (Brentville International) for Soro-Soro River (one km); Filinvest Land Inc. (Ciudad de Calamba) for Palo-Alto creek (one km); Horizon Land Property Development Corp. for Carmona River (one km); James Hardie Philippines Inc. for San Cristobal River in Barangay San Isidro in Cabuyao (1.6 kms); LGU-Kalayaan Sanitary Landfill for Subaan River (one km); Mary Check Trading for San Cristobal River in Barangay San Cristobal in Calamba (one km); Suri Waste Management and Disposal Services for Salang Langka River (one km); and 3J Foods for San Jose Malamig creek (one km).

The new set of partners in Batangas include Absolut Distillers Inc. for Palico-Lian River downstream (0.3 km); Atlantic, Gulf and Pacific of Manila Inc. for Tabok River (1.5 kms); Central Azucarera Don Pedro Inc. for a portion of Palico-Lian River (0.5 km); Consolidated Distillers of the Far East Inc. for a portion of Palico-Lian River (0.5 km); First Gas Power Corp. for Cabubulag River (1.75 kms); KEPCO Ilijan Power Corp. and the Batangas City government for Maunat River (three kms); SEM Calaca Power Corp. for Dacanalo and Cawong River (1.5 kms); and South Luzon Thermal Energy Corp. for Sinisian River (one km).

In Cavite, the new river cleanup advocates include Antel Holdings Inc. for Rio-Grande River (0.777 km); Cleanway Technology Corp. for Labuyo creek (0.1 km); Clean Echo Techwin Inc. for 426 Samaka River Site creek (0.1 km); First Cavite Industrial Estate Association Inc. for Ylang-Ylang River (1.8 kms); Integrated Waste Management Inc. for Sahing River (0.191 km); JETTI Petroleum Inc. for Ibayo Estacion creek (one km); Jorm Trading Corp. for Cañas River (.075 km); Majestic Landscape Corp. for Maalimango River (one km); RMM Trading and Waste Management Services for Barangay San Miguel 2 creek (one km); and Solvtech Consultancy Resources for a portion of Labuyo creek (one km).

In Rizal, the partners include Cathay Pacific Steel Corp. for Buli creek in Cainta (one km); Hardrock Aggregates Inc. for Kay-Bitbit River in Antipolo City (0.4 km); Antipolo City government for Dimanlig creek (1.05 kms), Malanim creek (1.72 kms), Tabak creek (1.58 kms) and Linapao creek (3.7 kms); Pacific Concrete Products Inc. for Wawa River in Rodriguez (0.3 km); and Rapid City Realty and Development Corp. for Kay-Bagsik/Kay Langho creek in Antipolo (one km). 

Completing the list of partners are the Urdaneta City government in Pangasinan for Macalong River (10 kms); and members of the Philippine Mine Safety and Environmental Association, namely Holcim, Marc Ventures, Teresa Marble, and Vulcan Mining.