Environmental Management Bureau IX, DENR Adopt-an-Estero/RiverProgram Launchi ng the Adopt - an-Estero/River Program through a motorcade starting from Barangay San Roque to downtown Zamboanga and all the way to Barangay Ayala. Esteros, rivers, creeks and other waterbodies have become the dumping areas for solid wastes, wastewater and even hazardous chemicals. These are all pollutants that can kill aquatic life and affect the economic life of a community. Flooding too during heavy rains has now become a perennial problem in almost all the urban areas of the country because of clogged waterways. Health risks, damage to life and property, business losses, and peoples’ misery are some of its devastating effects. To meet this challenge, Secretary Ramon J.P. Paje of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources implemented the “Adopt-an-Estero/River Program”. The Secretary instructed all the DENR field offices to make this a priority program and a nationwide effort. The program offers citizen participation, particularly the business sector and local government units (LGUs), in cleaning the waterways located within the urban areas. Private companies, community organizations, other government agencies, schools and LGUs can demonstrate their concerns about the environment by joining forces and adopt the whole stretch of the waterway, or a segment thereof, to rehabilitate and restore it again to a healthy state. The selection and adoption of a waterbody shall be on the basis of, but not limited to the degree of water pollution; its long-term use; the security of the waterway; protection of water quality; ecological preservation; and sustainable development. Reviving the Rivers of Zamboanga Peninsula In Region IX, otherwise known as Zamboanga Peninsula, most of the major river systems including some of its tributaries and waterways found in urban areas are generally considered inferior. The Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) IX has identified twelve (12) priority rivers/esteros regionwide based on the existing and previous history of the water quality of these waterbodies. A total of twenty-nine (29) adopters comprising the industrial sector, the local barangay units, academe, police and military, and the local city governments signed Memorandum of Agreements (MOAs) to formally forge their sincerity in reviving these waterways. The stakes are high and EMB-IX Regional Director Sixto E. Tolentino, Jr. is bent on moving forward to stir enthusiasm and greater participation not only among the adopters but also the general public. Pre-implementation activities were lined-up and several meetings and planning sessions were held by EMB-IX with the adopters and the local barangay units so that activities are properly coordinated and plans are implemented harmoniously. Finally, on June 15, 2012, EMB-IX formally launched the Adopt-an-Estero/River Program. Launching the program was thru a motorcade to drumbeat public support and awareness. The motorcade was joined by local, private and government agencies comprising the barangays of Pasonanca, Sta. Maria, Tumaga, Guiwan, Tetuan, Tugbungan, Zone II, Baliwasan, San Jose Gusu, San Roque, Ayala, Mercedes, the Western Mindanao State University, Universidad de Zamboanga, Ateneo de Zamboanga University, local government of Zamboanga City, the local and national police force, the Philippine Air Force, the ZRC-Elite Riders Club, GBPI TV 11 Zamboanga, ABS-CBN, EBAF Productions, Radyo ng Bayan, Radyo Agong, the industrial business sector and the Provincial and Community Environment and Natural Resources Offices of DENR-IX. The motorcade started from Barangay San Roque passing thru all the concerned barangays, continued within the heart of downtown Zamboanga City, and ended up in Barangay Ayala west coast where a short program and the signing of Memorandum of Agreements (MOA) were held. EMB-IX Regional Director Sixto E. Tolentino, Jr. in his inspirational speech promised that this program will go even beyond his retirement two years from now. “Most of the projects similar to this become ‘ningas-kugon, but not with me, it will not happen”, RD Tolentino, Jr. assured the public. Convergence meeting between the local barangay units and their partners in the industrial sector, academe, other government agencies and the City Government of Zamboanga. Mass Clean-up of Waterways In a bid to bring back life to the waterbodies found in urban centers, the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) IX, DENR in partnership with all the adopters, once again unite for the mass clean-up of the five major fresh waterbodies in Zamboanga City. The mass river clean up activity took place last July 3, 2012. Fifteen barangays, seventeen industries, four schools, the military and police that adopted segments of the Tumaga River, Zamboanga Channel, San Roque-San Jose Gusu- Baliwasan Creek, Mercedes River and the Ayala River were very optimistic that the program will succeed when everyone participates. It has always been established that a healthy river can increase property values, boost recreational opportunities, attract tourists, reduce water pollution, and protect people and property from flooding. The composition of wastes collected in the five mentioned waterbodies comprised mainly of plastics, diapers, napkins, textiles, cardboards, tin cans, agricultural wastes and even rubber tires. The composition of these wastes can be hazardous to aquatic life and consequently create poor water quality for domestic use. Simultaneous river clean up from Barangay Mercedes in the east coast to Barangay Ayala at the west coast by the local barangay units in partnership with the industries, military, police, academe and local residents last July 3, 2012. Sustainability Still in its initial stages, the teaming up of the business industries and the local barangays, in partnership with the city and national government agencies will come up with a river restoration plan for each segment of the river they adopt. In line with the plan, activities are focused immediately on the clearing of waterways of any obstructive or clogging debris; monitoring and maintenance of the waterways against waste/garbage generators; when feasible, the establishment of buffer zones along the adopted esteros, creeks, rivers and drainage lines; regular water sampling to check if there are improvements in water quality; and submission of water quality status report to each adopter(s) and the local government unit concerned. One of the innovations of this program is the commitment of the business sector to become responsible partners with the LGUs in restoring the waterbodies where they are located. Their contribution can be in the form of services they can offer, tools and materials donated for use in the cleanup, or provide incentives to barangay residents who help in maintaining the cleanliness of the waterbodies. In one of the meetings with the adopters, RD Tolentino, Jr. said: “I encourage the business industry sector to participate in this endeavor, a little of your money will go a long way of your social responsibility”. Forging partnerships among stakeholders comprising the local barangay units, the industrial sector, and public and private institutions in Barangay Ayala, Zamboanga City. .