Mission on to save Benguet's Bued River

TUBA, Benguet – The Environment and Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Cordillera (EMB-DENR-CAR) are concerned over the deteriorating quality of the Bued River, one of the major rivers of Benguet.

Because of pollution, the local government of Tuba joined in by some stakeholders are on their toes to protect it.

The Bued River watershed covers the historic and scenic Kennon Road and other eco tourism spots.

Some of the industries like aggregates and firms are also located within the watershed area.

Wanting to mitigate the further deterioration, the EMB-DENR-CAR, in partnership with the local government and stakeholders adopted the  â€˜Adopt an Estero’ program last year and is upbeat this year to hike effort to save Bued.

A renewal of commitment for the protection of the river has leveled-up the efforts, even involving private groups to do their share in protecting designated areas along the river system  such as regular clean up operations.

Councilor Roger Kitma, chair of the Tuba town council’s Committee on Environment, said Mayor Florencio Bentrez  is a main signatory to the memorandum of agreement between EMB-DENR-CAR and stakeholders like Mt. Rock Aggregates, Camp 6 Explorers and Small Scale Miners, Inc., private individuals with industrial businesses and Gold Rich Construction firm.

The DENR through the EMB is the primary agency mandated to implement the Adopt an Estero program of the government.

Engineer Raul Cubangay, EMB-DENR-CAR Water Quality Management section head, said regular water quality monitoring and assessment are being conducted since last year in the Bued River which showed deterioration of its quality. 

Also along the Bued River are numerous undocumented small scale mining ventures that seemed unnoticed even by government, has been contributing much to the dark river run off as mining effluents are apparently dumped along it.