The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) recently recognized Lamut River in Ifugao province, Cordillera Administrative Region as the cleanest river in the country through the first ever Recognizing Individuals/Institutions Towards Vibrant and Enhanced Rivers (RIVERs) for Life Award
The awards were handed personally by Environment Secretary Roy A. Cimatu to the local government unit (LGU) of Lamut, Ifugao province, Cordillera Administrative Region during the national department’s 32nd anniversary celebration in Quezon City last Friday.
Calbayog River in Samar province, Region 8 garnered the second place and Manaba River in Bohol, Region 7 for the third place.
Cash prizes of P100, 000, P75, 000 and P50, 000 were given to the 1st, 2nd and third placers, respectively
The award aims to raise public awareness on the need to protect and conserve the country’s rivers as the lifeblood of the earth.
It can be recalled that Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Roy Cimatu on 2018 ordered all regional directors of the agency to have all the rivers under their jurisdiction cleaned within a one-year period.
The R.I.V.E.Rs for Life Award will greatly contribute to ensuring that the country’s rivers are kept clean.
A total of sixteen classified Class C rivers were submitted as entries by DENR regional offices. Nominees were selected by the DENR Regional Committee consisting of the DENR, Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) and Environmental Management Bureau (EMB).