DENR head leads meeting on Antique river, creek

DEPARTMENT of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Roy A. Cimatu and Senator Loren Legarda led the meeting on the Malandog River and Bagumbayan Creek Rehabilitation Project in Antique Provincial Capitol, recently.

DENR 6 Regional Executive Director (RED) Francisco E. Milla, Jr., EMB Regional Director Sophie Manuel, Antique Governor RhodoraCadiao and PENR Officer Andres Untal also graced and discussed updates during the meeting.

According to Sec. Cimatu the projects aims to clean-up the river and water bodies in the province, develop the areas as tourist attractions, provide reliable sewer systems to avoid contaminating and polluting water bodies, relocate illegal settlers and require all concerned sectors to comply with the provisions of the Philippine Clean Water Act.

The target of the DENRto reduce the coliform level and relocate residents living near the river is within three to six months

Bodies of water intended for recreation are deemed safe if they fall within 100 MPN (most probable number) per 100 milliliters of fecal coliform.

Bodies of water used for fishing or irrigation, on the other hand, are safe if they have less than 200 MPN/100 ml of fecal coliform.

Clean Air, Clean Water and Solid Waste Management are on the ten (10) programs of DENR Secretary Cimatu which pursue to enjoy clean water bodies, live us healthier and protect our environment from pollution.

DENR 6 is calling not only every Antiqueño, but also all Filipinos to give full cooperation for the rehabilitation of all rivers in our country.

Also present during the meeting are officials of the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), Mines Geosciences Bureau (MGB), PENRO Antique, CENROs of Belison and Culasi and Local Government Units of Antique. (DENR-6)