The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Calabarzon has recently formalized its partnership with concerned local government units (LGUs) and C-Joy Poultry Meat Production Inc. for the protection and rehabilitation of the Tigiro River.
The partnership agreement under the Adopt-A-River program of the DENR was signed by DENR-Calabarzon Regional Executive Director Nilo B. Tamoria, DENR-Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) Calabarzon, C-Joy Poultry Meat Production Inc. and LGUs of Barangay Sta. Teresita in Santo Tomas City and Barangays Plaridel, Lumbang and San Lucas in Lipa City.
It covers the protection, rehabilitation and safeguarding of a 4-kilometer portion of Tigiro River that is connected to San Juan River.
The private sector has agreed to lead the conduct of river cleanup activities in the area during environmental celebrations and the conduct of information drives regarding the importance of riverbank stabilization and river protection.
They will coordinate with the barangay LGUs and landowners on the stabilization of the riverbanks and improvement of the river’s water quality. They will be the one to provide tree guards and quality bamboo planting materials and other suitable forest tree species, participate in tree planting activities in the area, and ensure the survival of bamboo and trees planted.
The barangay LGUs will lead the site preparation, pass and implement an ordinance for the protection of the newly planted trees from stray animals and other man-made destruction, work with the private sector in ensuring the survival of the bamboo and trees planted, actively participate in all other activities for the protection, conservation and development of the river, and endeavor to relocate the informal settlers along the riverbank by informing the proper agency that has jurisdiction on the matter.
Tamoria highlighted the important roles of the LGUs in the initiative and emphasized the need to work hand-in-hand with the concerned stakeholders for the overall success of the program.
“At the end of the day, ang local government units ang naiiwan sa area. Sila ang nandoon 24/7 kaya po kami sa national government agency, nandito po ang aming mandates, pero ang success ng effort natin for the protection and conservation of the environment lies sa pagtutulung-tulong po nating lahat,” he said.
The DENR-Calabarzon through the Regional EMB and Provincial and Community Environment and Natural Resources Offices concerned are responsible for the provision of technical assistance in riverbank stabilization, capacity building, and all other activities pertaining to the rehabilitation, protection, conservation, and management of Tigiro River.
Though the agreement encompasses four barangays, Tamoria said the department “knows no boundaries in implementing its mandate.”
He also said the agreement is a step toward sustainable development.
The agreement, which will be in force for one year, may be renewed by the parties.