It has been four years since the adopt-an-estero program was launched by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources' secretary Ramon J.P. Paje. Its main intention was to involve the community, the private sector and the local government in the implementation of this comprehensive waste management program.
Its flagship project, the Pasig River which has evolved into a main waterway from a tragic dumpsite of immovable flotsam has given those of us in the corporate sector great hope that the identified rivers and waterways under this ADOPT-AN-ESTERO in Cebu will follow the same triumphant result in time. The question is how long a time and how much cooperation is needed?
The length of the efforts to clear the waterways is highly dependent o the community buy-in and the local government's strict monitoring and implementation.
As we recognize that these two sectors are key to making a complete success out of our adopting the waterways close to our establishments, we in business also need to do our share. Helping secure and manage both our solid and liquid wastes in our plants would contribute largely to the reduction of wastes that clog up the sewers and flood the banks of our esteros.
The community on the other hand must be consistently educated on the impact of not throwing their garbage properly. They must be urged and made responsible for their backyards, by strictly imposing penalties for indiscriminate disposal of whatever form of solid wasted in the rivers, creeks, canals, brooks and other liquid bodies that could have been home to a diverse marine life.
In Mandaue City, it has always been the dream of Mayor Jonas Cortes to be able to walk along tree -shaded sidewalks and gaze at the clear waters of the creeks that abound in the area. I recall that we could gaze at the canals while we would set sail our paper boats, when I was a kid. Then we could still find black mollies, tadpoles, swordtails and multi-colored fish there. Now we can only gaze at often murky waters and cringe at the various debris that are carried by the flood (so they say), or what we unearth from the riverbeds wrapped in tangled plastics when we do our creek and river clean-ups.
Although as of late I have noticed a reduced pile of the non-biodegradables, still there is a need to continually educate communities about the relationship of waste management to health and safety. Perhaps aside from simply raking up the reeking wastes from the canals, business, the Department of Education, the barangay leaders and DENR can join hands in seriously coming up with interactive educational campaigns to keep the lifeblood of our land free flowing.
As the educational caravan is pursued, it is also expected that laws against throwing garbage anywhere are enforced. Eventually, we hope to see a "living" Butuanon River, a clear Tipolo Creek, and a healthy Guadalupe river.
Adopt your community's estero, clean your own home!