Officials from the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources, and Energy (MENRE) signed a memorandum of agreement with the local government of Parang Municipality on July 24 for the protection and preservation of the town’s Nituan River. [Photo from MENRE]
MENRE’s Chief Environment Management Specialist (EMS) Engr. Amier Ashan Aplal and Senior EMS Mahid Gayak signed the memorandum of agreement with Barangay Chairman Precious Johanney Biruar and Municipal Planning and Development Coordinator May Quesada.
This is in line with MENRE’s implementation of the Adopt-an-Estero Program, which is a collaborative undertaking between and among the ministry, communities, donor-partners, LGUs, and other government agencies.
The program aims to clean waste, debris, and silt from the esteros, mobilize the communities near the esteros for cleanup activities, and prepare and implement plans for the sustainable cleanliness of esteros and other water bodies in the region.
“Ang layunin talaga natin dito ay para mapanatili natin ang kalinisan ng ating mga ilog. Mga anak natin at mga susunod pang mga henerasyon ang magmamana nito kaya’t simulan natin ang pagkilos nang maaga,” said Aplal.
“For 2021, target ng MENRE-EMS to adopt and rehabilitate 20 esteros/creeks under the Environmental Regulations and Pollutions Control Program. Per quarter, urged sila to adopt five estero/creek,” he further explained.
Since March this year, MENRE has already signed similar agreement with seven (7) stakeholders in the provinces Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur.
These are Agumil Philippines Inc. in Buluan town and EKA-SALAM Agri-Ventures Corp. in Ampatuan, all in Maguindanao, Bushra Base Command Marketing Cooperative in Butig, Farmers Producer Cooperative in Maguing, Wao Development Corporation in Wao, Kabataang Salam ang Hangarin (KASALAH) Buadipuso Buntong, and Mt. Kalatungan Agri-Ventures Inc. in Amai Manabilang, all in Lanao del Sur. (Bangsamoro Information Office)
