- Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission

The Official Newsletter of the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission
Ilog Natin
EDITORIAL
BOARD
What‘s in Here
Contents
Editorial Advisor
PRRC Events and Projects
Regina Paz L. Lopez
2
Bamboo Reforestation Project; National Greening Program Launched
Ronald A. Naguit, MNSA
3
PRRC Visits Maningning Creek; Inspirations from ‘Streams of Hope’
4
PRRC teams up with PUP; WACS Seminar held
Senior Editor
4
Inter-Agency Forum and Synchronization Workshop on Pasig River Governance
Ramil R. Tan
5
Simultaneous Clean-up of Pasig River and Tributaries
Helen Arlene P. Quililan
6
It Takes a Village to Clean a River: Values Education for Sustainable communities
Managing Editor
Editor-in-Chief
Government Sector Partners
Amelita V. Gamay
Associate Editor-in-Chief
Jericho Von I. Miranda
Jeffrey M. Facunla
9
New Homes for Informal Settlers in Estero de Sunog Apog
10
DENR turns over boat for collecting trash to Cavite Town
10
MMDA opens San Joaquin Ferry Station
Associate and Layout Editor
Therese S. Tanquintic
Head Writer
Private Sector Partners
9
Manila Water’s Toka Toka program gains support from LGUs
Jeffrey M. Facunla
Contributors
Features
Abigail Lorraine C. Antonio
11
Jillian Alexis D. Manlangit
12
Lessons Learned in Community-Based Catering Operations
13
Liquid Wastewater Management of Drainage Canal Overflow
15
EPA and its relevance to PRRC’s rehabilitation of the Pasig River
16
The Price of Progress
17
Transforming Community members to become Environmental Guardians
Mae Quesada-Medina, KBPIP
Manila Water
National Housing Authority
Lira U. Canals
Engr. Eduardo B. Bornilla, Jr.
Working with the River Warriors in one of the Esteros
Michael C. Rubio, KBPIP
Melchor P. Oderon
7
Photo Release
Senior Citizens’ Workshop on Stress Management, Wellness Program and
Orientation on RA 9003
7
Tapat Ko, Hardin Ko, Aalagaan Ko
7
Race to Serve IV Fun Run
8
Series of IEC Campaign on ESWM Held
18
PRRC in Action
Cover Photo:
The cover photo shows the dynamics of collaboration
brought about by the synergized men and women
of PRRC and its partner agencies who care for the
environment in general and of the Pasig River and its
tributaries in particular. (JMFacunla, PRRC)
July - December 2014 | Volume 2 | Issue 3
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Bamboo Reforestation Project; National Greening Program Launched
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in partnership
with the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission’s (PRRC) Public
Information, Advocacy and Tourism (PIAT) Division launched
“The Bamboo Reforestation Project, National Greening Program”
at Villa San Isidro Covered Court, Brgy San Isidro, Rodriguez
Rizal on December 17, 2014.
Recognizing AFP’s support in the rehabilitation programs of the
Pasig River and its tributaries, PRRC Chair Regina Paz Lopez
intoned in her inspirational message that the military is close to
her heart because they zealously supported the rehabilitation of
Estero de Paco.
In his keynote speech, AFP Chief of Staff General Gregorio Pio
Catapang, Jr. mentioned AFP’s role as protector of the people and
of the environment.
Philippine Bamboo Foundation President Edgardo C. Manda expounding the
benefits, various purposes, and how bamboos can aid in adapting to climate change.
Photo by Ambrosio Binwag, PRRC
Communities must be the first to benefit from the ecological
gains that can be derived from planting bamboos, said General
Catapang.
AFP Southern Luzon Command Chief Major General Visaya
in his message of support declared that he has been a staunch
supporter of estero rehabilitation since 2009.
Major General Visaya expressed that he is delighted to
collaborate with PRRC Chair Lopez for another endeavour that
addresses environmental concerns and affirmed AFP’s holistic
role in nation building including environmental preservation
and protection.
AFP chief general Catapang: The launching of the bamboo planting program is a
great event to celebrate AFP’s 79th Founding Anniversary. Photo by Ambrosio
Binwag, PRRC
General Catapang stressed the need for the country to take part
in developing climate change adaptation measures and that the
AFP participated in the Bamboo propagation program.
Various representatives from the LGU of Rodriguez, Rizal;
Brgy. San Isidro Council; Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) ;
Department of Environment and Natural Resources National
Solid Waste Management Commission (DENR-NSWMC);
DENR CENRO-PENRO Antipolo; Department of Interior and
Local Government - National Capital Region (DILG-NCR);
Department of Tourism (DOT); Department of Public Services
(DPS)-Manila; and Brgy. San Isidro Home Owners Association
also joined the event. (JMFacunla, PRRC)
PRRC Chair Regina Paz Lopez,(inset) AFP Chief General Catapang, Philippine Bamboo Foundation President Manda (in green shirt) planted the first three bamboo
seedlings to kick-off the planting activity. The bamboos shall be managed by the residents through the home owners association with the support of the barangay council.
Photo by Ambrosio Binwag, PRRC
The Official Newsletter of the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission
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PRRC visits
Maningning Creek;
Inspirations from
‘Streams of Hope’
It all started with a crazy dream.
That’s how co-founder and
president of Angat Kabataan Tobit Cruz, concurrent barangay
kagawad of Sta. Ana, Taytay, Rizal, described how he and his
other three friends thought of cleaning Maningning Creek,
an idea that was transformed into a noble project they called
‘Streams of Hope’.
The success story of reviving Maningning Creek did not escape
the radar of individuals and organizations such as PRRC hoping
to learn and replicate Angat Kabataan’s noble feat.
Eventually, PRRC PIAT Committee Chair and MMDA General
Manager Corazon Jimenez tapped PRRC through PIAT head
Amelita V. Gamay to facilitate the site visit. And so, PRRC
Executive Director Ronald Naguit assembled his team composed
of PIAT Committee members and organized a trip to Maningning
Creek located in Barangay Sta. Ana, Taytay Rizal last October 24,
2014.
Cruz said their hobbies differ from that of their age groups.
While most youths today would prefer mall hopping, that of
Cruz’s would rather discuss current social problems in their
community and try to provide solutions.
Cruz recalled that it was Typhoon Ondoy’s great devastation
of the province of Rizal that awakened their consciousness to
address their hometown’s waterway. He said it was a painful
realization for them to find out that their endeavors and the
progress they have achieved could easily be washed away by the
constant flooding in their locality.
Angat Kabataan co-founder Tobit Cruz shares his group’s experiences in reviving
Maningning Creek. Photo by Jericho Von Miranda, PRRC
Optimistic and passionate, Executive Director Naguit said that
the strategy to involve the youth sector, residents, and other
groups is something that a national government agency like
PRRC could also adapt.
Noting that the Maningning Creek rehabilitation program is
currently used as a template program for some waterways in the
Southeast Asian countries, Executive Director Naguit shared
Cruz’s view that maybe it is what it takes to clean the rivers of the
country and perhaps the whole world. (JMFacunla, PRRC)
The PRRC team during their visit to Maningning Creek. Photo shows (L-R) Angat
Kabataan co-founder Tobit Cruz; Taytay Rizal Mayor Janet de Leon Mercado;
PRRC PIAT Committee Chair and MMDA General Manager Corazon T. Jimenez;
PRRC Executive Director Ronald A. Naguit; PRRC Public Information Advocacy
and Tourism Division Head Amelita V. Gamay; PRRC Deputy Executive Director
for Finance and Administrative Helen Arlene P. Quililan; PRRC Environmental
Management Division Head Merliza S. Bonga. Photo by Jericho Von Miranda,
PRRC
So Cruz found his group venturing into a weekly clean-up
activity and planting bamboo trees until they were able to enlist
volunteers. Local residents followed suit and their selfless efforts
eventually began to be recognized by the Local Government of
Taytay, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources
(DENR), and the Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA).
And, lately, by the Angono church group, which shared to them
a Japanese technology using microorganisms called Bokashi
Balls—a key intervention for water quality improvement of the
Maningning Creek. Currently, Barangay Sta. Ana manufactures
its own Bokashi Balls.
July - December 2014 | Volume 2 | Issue 3
The PRRC Team posed for posterity with the PIAT Committee during their visit
at Maningning Creek. Photo shows PRRC Executive Director Ronald A. Naguit
(seated third from left), PRRC Deputy Executive Director for Finance and
Administrative Helen Arlene P. Quililan (standing fourth from left) and PRRC
division heads Merliza S. Bonga (standing 7th from left) and Amelita V. Gamay
(standing 9th from left) and Kapit Bisig Para sa Ilog Pasig Director Michael C.
Rubio (standing 13th from left). Also in photo: PRRC Information Officers Angelita
P. Galano (seated first from left) and Rafael D. Pascua (seated 2nd from right).
Photo by Jericho Von Miranda, PRRC
Ilog Natin
The
Inter-agency forum and synchronization
work-shop on Pasig River governance
Pasig
River
Rehabilitation
Commission (PRRC), in collaboration
with the United Nations Human
Settlements Programme (UN-NHSP),
Asian Development Bank (ADB), and
Metropolitan
Manila
Development
Authority (MMDA) conducted a
workshop on Pasig River Governance
at the Manila City Conference Room,
MMDA Building, Makati City on
December 6, 2014.
Aimed to explore opportunities for
harnessing institutional coordination
towards
enhancing
convergence
mechanics for various programs and
projects by the mandated agencies
and various stakeholders that have
direct impact to the Pasig River and
its tributaries, the workshop was
attended by representatives from Water
Concessionaires, Local Government Units
of the cities of Manila, Mandaluyong,
Quezon, and San Juan.
Academic institutions and other
government agencies such as the
Department of Public Works and
Highways (DPWH) and Laguna Lake
Development Authority (LLDA) also
joined the forum.
Master plans, programs, activities, and
projects relevant to the Pasig River were
presented and a workshop was facilitated
where two groups, the Wastewater and
Septage Management Group and the
Flood Mitigation, Waterways, Canals, and
Drainage Maintenance Group discussed
the institutional or project overlaps and
gaps such as drainage maintenance,
solid waste management, flood control
projects, and construction of combined
drainage system.
The groups also came up with their
recommendations and proposed actions
as well as identification of who is the
lead agency or organization to address
the said overlaps and gaps. The groups’
recommendations include enforcement
of pre-treatment facilities for commercial
establishments; enhancement of interagency coordination; strengthening of
the water quality management under the
Clean Water Act, among others.
(Abigail Lorraine C. Antonio, PRRC)
Forum participants discuss recommendations and propose action plans during the workshop of the Pasig River governance. Photo by Ambrosio Binwag, PRRC
PRRC teams up with PUP; WACS Seminar held
To
establish a sustainable Materials
Recovery Facility (MRF) and campusbased Solid Waste Management (SWM)
program, Pasig River Rehabilitation
Commission (PRRC) held a seminar on
Waste Analysis and Characterization
Study (WACS) on September 23, 2014
at the CM Recto Hall, Main Building,
Polytechnic University of the Philippines
(PUP) Campus, Manila.
PRRC Executive Director Ronald Naguit
encouraged the PUP community to
channel their willpower to battle today’s
alarming enemy—pollution.
Resource speaker Engr. Vincent Alon,
Head of Environmental Sanitation Center,
Muntinlupa City shared what WACS is
all about, highlighting how vital it is in
assessing the needs of an agency or an
institution to manage solid waste.
The seminar ended with a positive note
with Engr. Antonio Velasco, head of
the PUP TWG-SWM acknowledging
PRRC for its continuous support and
that PUP Technical Working GroupSolid Waste Management (TWG-SWM )
will conduct follow up activities to firm Engineer Vincent Alon explaining Waste Analysis and
up comprehensive plans on solid waste Characterization Study (WACS). Photo by Ambrosio
Binwag, PRRC
management. (JMFacunla, PRRC)
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Simultaneous Clean-up
of Pasig River and Tributaries
Photo by Garry Ignacio
Taking
cue from the joint initiative by the Pasig River
Ferry System Tripartite Committee composed of the Pasig
River Rehabilitation Commission (PRRC), Department of
Transportation and Communication (DOTC), and Metropolitan
Manila Development Authority (MMDA), PRRC spearheaded
the project dubbed “Simultaneous Clean-up in Pasig River and
Tributaries Program” which aims to minimize if not totally
eradicate the Pasig River’s accumulating solid wastes.
Transportation and Communication (DOTC), Philippine Coast
Guard (PCG), Local Government Units (LGUs) of Makati,
Mandaluyong, Manila, Pasig, Pateros, Quezon City, San Juan and
Taguig, academic, private institutions and people’s organizations
joined forces and collected more than 2,300 sacks of garbage.
From July to December 2014, PRRC and its partner organizations
and agencies cleared 15 tributaries and five different sites along
the main Pasig River.
With the use of trash boats and approximately 2,227 cleaning
implements and supplies donated by PRRC, over 1,200
personnel from various national government agencies like the
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR),
Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Metro
Manila Development Authority (MMDA), Department of
Information, education and communication campaigns on
proper waste management were conducted in neighbouring
communities and barangays of the clean-up sites. Coordination
meetings, ocular inspections and river tours were also organized
to enhance the implementation of the program.
PRRC Information Officer Andy P. Galano and Community Organizer Arturo
Baquizal reinforcing awareness on solid waste management. Photo by Therese
Tanquintic, PRRC
The men and women of PRRC, DOTC, MMDA and volunteers from various civic
groups remove the wastes clogging the esteros of the Pasig River. Photo by Therese
Tanquintic, PRRC
July - December 2014 | Volume 2 | Issue 3
(Jillian Alexis D. Manlangit, PRRC)
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It Takes A Village To Clean A River
Values Education for Sustainable Communities
By: Mae Quesada-Medina*
Hope is truly in the hands of the people.
For three days, some thirty people came
together in a workshop to build bridges
between their two barangays and work
towards a common goal. They were
residents of Barangays 662 and 830
connected by Estero de Santibañez in
Manila. The participants were barangay
councilors, river warriors, youth leaders,
senior citizens, and military personnel
– people who play important roles in
sustaining the health and life of the
tributaries connected to other waterways
leading to the Pasig River.
Participants exploring ideas and solutions to given
set of activities during the teambuilding. Photo by
Angelita Galano, PRRC
The three-day Values Education for
Sustainable Communities Workshop
held in San Mateo, Rizal last August 2123 was organized by Kapit-Bisig Para
sa Ilog Pasig (KBPIP) and supported by
Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission
(PRRC). It was a chance for communities
to get to know each other, to share their
stories and dreams, to discuss and debate
on issues, and to plan how they can build a
community that future generations would
enjoy and continue to thrive in.
Carmencita “Nanay Butch” Francisco, a
69-year-old participant, recalled how she
as a child enjoyed bathing in the river
decades ago. Others who have lived long
enough also remember fishing in the
tributaries. Youth leaders in the group
listened in awe and wonder to memories
they did not share, but were inspired in
turn to share this dream of clean waters
and a green landscape.
Resource person and workshop facilitator
Cris Gonzales guided participants
“It was a chance for communities
to get to know each other, to
share their stories and dreams,
to discuss and debate on issues,
and to plan how they can
build a community that future
generations would enjoy and
continue to thrive in.“
through a creative process that made
them aware of their individual and shared
values, and how these are reflected in
their daily concerns including waste
segregation, enforcement of local
ordinances on solid waste management,
and participation in volunteer activities.
Team building was an integral part of
the workshop design. It was important
to establish trust, respect and sensitivity
to others; to learn communication skills
indispensable to advocacy work; and to
bring out strengths in facing challenges
together. And it was fun for all.
At the end of the three days, participants
resolved to form the Estero de Santibañez
Multi-sectoral Environmental Committee
(MSEC), and chose five people to
represent the two barangays and form
part of a core group that would coordinate
the succeeding projects.
Lala Lendio, KBPIP Area Manager of
Estero de Santibañez, has worked with
the two barangays, mobilizing residents
to join the river rehabilitation and solid
waste management projects of KBPIP.
She believes that with the growing
environmental awareness and community
participation, the MSEC formation is
very timely and will help concretize the
sustainability plans where the community
takes responsible stewardship of the
environment.
Lendio recalls, “Dati, yung ibang nakatira
sa harap ng estero, ayaw lumabas at
makisama sa paglilinis. Pero nang nakita
nila na natanggal ang mga basura sa ilog,
at nataniman ng halaman ang paligid,
nakumbinsi na sila na makiisa.”
With the improved water quality, the
easement and linear park development,
the cleaning and greening of the estero,
people have realized the need for
coordination and cooperation, a concept
captured in the word “kapit-bisig .”
As the workshop ended, the participants
formed a circle, symbolic of a collective
commitment to revive and sustain a clean
and healthy estero. It was a pivotal point
of awareness and action, education and
empowerment, choice and change.
As PRRC Chair Ms. Regina Paz Lopez
would always say, “Pwede pala. Kaya
pala.”
The workshop enlightens the participants about
their individual and shared values regarding waste
segregation and compliance on local ordinances on
solid waste management. Photo by Angelita Galano,
PRRC
More than a month later, from September 29
- October 1, another similar workshop was
conducted in Eurotel-Pedro Gil for Estero
de Concordia under KBPIP Area Manager
Francis Mendoza. Three barangays
participated, namely, Barangays 827, 828
and 831. Local residents, barangay officials,
and representatives of the Department of
Interior and Local Government (DILG),
the Department of Public Service (DPS)
and the City Engineering Office of the
Manila City government attended the
multi-sectoral gathering.
Also in attendance were representatives of
business establishments (Honda Motors,
Isuzu Motors, Otis 888 Residences and
Robinson’s Otis). These businesses already
complied with regulations and have their
own Sewerage Treatment Plants (STPs)
and ecological solid waste management
systems. Their awareness of environmental
issues and the importance of stewardship
has made them invaluable partners giving
material and logistical support for the plans
and programs as part of their corporate
social responsibility.
* Mae Quesada-Medina is KBPIP’s InformationEducation-Communication (IEC) Consultant.
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Senior Citizen’s Workshop on Stress
Management, Wellness Program and
Orientation on RA 9003: Faith Brazil,
explaining to senior citizens the three ways
to avoid stress, namely: proper diet; right
type of relaxation; and correct amount of
exercise to overcome tension and fatigue.
And, Arturo Baquizal (inset), providing
a backgrounder on RA 9003 and citing
the importance of waste segregation.
He stressed during his presentation that
senior citizens, as role models for younger
generations, play an important part in
promoting proper waste disposal.
RA 9003 describes solid waste management
as a discipline associated with the control
of generation, storage, collection, transfer
and transport, processing, and disposal
of solid wastes. The Act provides for a
comprehensive ecological solid waste
management program by creating the
necessary institutional mechanisms and
incentives, appropriating funds, declaring
certain acts prohibited, and providing
penalties. (ap.fftc.agnet.org)
Brazil and Baquizal were PRRC’s resource
speakers during the Senior Citizens’
Workshop on Stress Management,
Wellness Program and Orientation on
RA 9003 organized by PRRC’s Public
Information, Advocacy and Tourism held
on November 29, 2014 at The Garden
Plaza Hotel and Suites in Paco Manila.
(JMFacunla, PRRC)
Race to Serve IV Fun Run: The PRRC
men in women at the Mall of Asia
grounds participated in the ‘RACE to
Serve IV Fun Run’ organized by the Civil
Service Commission (CSC) on September
6, 2014 in celebration of CSC’s 114th year
as the stronghold of good governance
and national development, to promote,
showcase, and celebrate heroism in public
service. (JMFacunla, PRRC)
Save our Rivers
Senior citizens taking notes on the critical aspects of
stress management and the importance of solid waste
management. Photo by Rafael Pascua, PRRC
Did you know that only 3% of Earth’s
water is freshwater? And of that 3%, twothirds is frozen in glaciers and polar ice
caps. That means only 1% of the Earth’s
freshwater supply is accessible for use!
This is why it is so important to conserve
the limited amount of water that we do
have. If everyone does a little bit here
and there, we will be able to cut down on
consumption and preserve this valuable
resource and save our rivers. Here are
some practical tips:
•Buy recycled paper products as opposed
to “virgin” paper products. Recycled
paper requires far less water than brand
new paper production.
•If you accidentally drop an ice cube, don’t
throw it down the sink, use it to water a
house plant.
Photos by Rafael Pascua, PRRC
Tapat Ko, Hardin Ko, Aalagaan Ko:
Participants from Brgy. 633, Estero de
Valencia assembled at the Barangay Hall
during the launching of Tapat Ko, Hardin
Ko, Aalagaan Ko Project on December 18,
2014.
The program, spearheaded by the Public
Information, Advocacy and Tourism
Division of the Pasig River Rehabilitation
Commission (PRRC), is a two-pronged
clean and green campaign which aims
to involve communities living along the
July - December 2014 | Volume 2 | Issue 3
esteros of the metropolis to take care of
their environment.
The residents of Brgy. 633 were encouraged
to cultivate and grow fruit and flowerbearing plants as well as segregate their
household garbage.
The project, which further aims to develop
the program into a habit-forming activity
that is geared towards sustainability,
will award a winner when the project
culminates in May 2015.
(JMFacunla, PRRC)
•Buy a reusable water bottle and use it.
The production of 1 imported bottle of
water uses 6.74 kilograms of water. This
is the equivalent of 15 pounds of water,
which is close to 2 gallons! Imagine if you
drink a bottle every day (way below the
recommended amount) that would be 365
days x 2 gallons per bottle= 730 gallons of
water a year wasted just in production.
• Fix your leaky faucets. One small drip
leaks about 20 gallons a day.
•Only run your dishwasher and laundry
machine when you have full loads, this
will save up to 1,000 gallons a month.
continued on page 17
Ilog Natin
Series of IEC Campaign on ESWM Held
Consistent
with its goal to create a high-level public
awareness on sound solid waste management, the Pasig River
Rehabilitation Commission’s (PRRC) Public Information
Advocacy and Tourism held a series of Information Education
and Communication (IEC) campaign on Ecological Solid Waste
Management Seminar (ESWM) in different barangays in Manila.
Senior Citizens as target audience were oriented on the proper
segregation of biodegradable from the non-biodegradable
wastes. Basic information on Materials Recovery Facility as
well as No Segregation, No Collection policy were among other
things taught to them. (JMFacunla, PRRC)
Barangay 832, Estero de Pandacan, Manila - December 09, 2014.
Barangay 432, Estero de Sampaloc – November 25, 2014
Barangay 686, Estero de Paco – November 27, 2014
Barangay 424, Estero de Valencia – November 19, 2014.
Barangay 828, Estero de Concordia – September 24, 2014
Barangay 386, Estero de San Miguel – September 18, 2014
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Manila Water’s
New Homes For
Informal Settlers
In Estero De
Sunog Apog
Toka Toka
program
gains support
from LGUs
Manila
Water’s Toka Toka advocacy
gained support from the local
governments of Cainta in Rizal Province
and Taguig; San Juan; and Mandaluyong
in Metro Manila.
This developed as Manila Water
intensified its advocacy on educating
the general public on used water
management. These partnerships with the
LGUs were expected to enhance Manila
Water’s advocacy of promoting greater
environmental awareness, especially on
used water management and vowed to
institutionalize the Toka Toka’s advocacy
educational campaign.
The Toka Toka initiative zeroes in on
simple acts that each individual can claim
as his own share towards the ultimate goal
of ensuring cleaner and safer rivers in
Metro Manila, particularly the Marikina,
San Juan and Pasig Rivers.
Vice President and Housing and Urban
Manila Water executives headed by President and
CEO Gerardo C. Ablaza, Jr. (leftmost) together with
Mandaluyong City Mayor Benhur Abalos (second
from right) strike a Toka Toka pose at the recently-held
Toka Toka Partnership Seal Signing in Mandaluyong
City Hall. Photo courtesy of Manila Water
“You can now sleep soundly at night in your
new homes even during harsh weather,”
Binay, told the beneficiaries.
The Paradise Heights Housing Project is
part of the P50 billion Housing Program
for ISFs in Metro Manila. It is composed
of nine five-storey low-rise buildings
(LRBs), with a total of 970 housing units
measuring 24 square meters each.
Manila Water East Zone Business Operations Group
Director Ferdinand Dela Cruz (fourth from left)
together with Taguig City Mayor Laarni Cayetano
(third from left) joined by Councilors Jimmy Labampa
(second from right), Rodil Marcelino (first from right)
and Manila Water officers at the recently-held Toka
Toka seal signing in Taguig City Hall. Photo courtesy
of Manila Water
This message is translated to four
ownable acts that each individual can
own as their TOKA: (1) T-talakayan
at edukasyon patungkol sa nagamit na
tubig (2) O-organisadong basurahan (3)
K-koneksyon o magpakonekta sa sewer
line ng Manila Water (4) A-aktibong
pagpapa-desludge ng poso negro tuwing
limang taon.
In
relevant
developments,
the
Metropolitan
Manila
Development
Authority (MMDA), during the launching
of its solid waste management project,
unveiled its Pahayagan Sites which
will feature among others Toka Toka’s
environment program. The unveiling
of the MMDA’s Pahayagan Site is part of
Manila Water’s continuing partnership
with MMDA for the revival of rivers in the
metropolis. (JMFacunla, PRRC)
July - December 2014 | Volume 2 | Issue 3
Development Coordinating Council
(HUDCC) Chairman Jejomar C. Binay
turned over recently the housing units
of the National Housing Authority’s
(NHA) Paradise Heights Housing Project
in Tondo, Manila to 63 informal settler
families (ISFs) living in danger areas in
Metro Manila.
Priority families to be relocated in
Paradise Heights Housing Project are
those coming from Estero de Sunog Apog
in Manila, about two kilometers from the
new housing site.
“The in-city relocation is the government’s
response to the ISFs’ request to be relocated
to homes near their places of work and
their children’s schools so they won’t have
a hard time adjusting,” Binay said during
the turnover.
“These families will now have peace of
mind knowing that their new homes will be
safe from being swept away by flash floods
especially during heavy rains. At the same
time, they will have security of housing
tenure,” the Vice President added.
To date, 93 families, two of whom have
members with disabilities, were relocated
to the new LRBs.
Based on the data provided by NHA,
Metro Manila has 104,219 ISFs living in
danger areas and about 60,130 of them
occupy major waterways.
Manila Water President and CEO Gerardo C. Ablaza,
Jr. together with San Juan City Mayor Guia Gomez at
the recently-held partnership sealing of Toka Toka in
San Juan City Hall. Photo courtesy of Manila Water
Under President Aquino’s directive, the
government launched in 2011 a fiveyear-P50 billion housing program for ISFs
living in danger areas in Metro Manila,
particularly along waterways. (nha.gov.ph)
Ilog Natin
MMDA opens San Joaquin ferry station
The Metropolitan Manila Development
Authority (MMDA) opens another
Pasig River ferry station in Pasig City on
September 15, 2014.
MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino
said the new station will be opened in
San Joaquin and will be the seventh
station for the Pasig River Ferry Service.
Tolentino said the San Joaquin station was
repaired and refurbished by the MMDA,
in coordination with the Pasig River
Rehabilitation Commission (PRRC) and
other concerned government agencies.
Tolentino is confident that with the
opening of the San Joaquin station,
ridership for the ferry service will peak.
Earlier, MMDA Planning Officer Rey
Lunas said ferry ridership has increased
to an average of 200 passengers daily with
the opening of the Sta. Ana, Manila Ferry
Station last June 27. The ferry service
operates from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Each ferry
can carry a maximum of 30 passengers.
Ferries pick up and unload passengers
from six ferry stations along the Pasig
River from Pasig City to Manila.
Aside from San Joaquin, the ferry service
has six other stations: Guadalupe (Makati
The San Joaquin Ferry Station is the 7th Pasig River Ferry Service Station that was
re-opened to the public by MMDA. Photo by Jericho Von Miranda, PRRC
City), Pinagbuhatan, (Pasig City); Escolta,
and PUP Sta. Mesa, Plaza Mexico and
Sta. Ana (Manila). Passengers are charged
between P30 and P50 depending on the
distance traveled.
The MMDA had earlier proposed the
revival of the Pasig River system as a
means to decongest Metro Manila’s major
roads affected by the on-going 15 road
projects across Metro Manila. A similar
private ferry service along the Pasig River
went out of business in 2011.
(Mike Frialde, The Philippine Star, September
15, 2014)
MMDA chairman Atty. Francis Tolentino (second from left) is joined by DENR
Usec. for Planning, Policy, Research and Legislative Affairs Demetrio L. Ignacio (left
most); MMDA General Manager Corazon Jimenez (third from left) and Pasig City
Mayor Ma. Belen Eusebio (right most) during the opening of the San Joaquin ferry
station in Pasig City. Photo by Jericho Von Miranda, PRRC
DENR turns over boat for collecting trash to Cavite Town
THE Department of Environment and
Natural Resources (DENR) has turned
over a boat for collecting trash to the
municipal government of Rosario in
Cavite on September 5, 2014.
Rosario Mayor Jose “Nonong” Ricafrente
Jr. and Engr. Marconi Austria of the
Municipal Environment and Natural
Resources Office received the boat
through a deed of donation in a ceremony
held at Isla Bonita.
DENR Regional Director Reynulfo Juan,
representing Secretary Ramon J.P. Paje,
said the boat was purchased by its Manila
Bay Coordinating Office to help local
government units (LGUs) clean up their
coastal bay area of floating trash and
implement solid waste management.
The agreement is for the LGU to provide
the manpower and funds for the operation
and maintenance of the boat. The LGU
will also collect garbage at least twice a
week or as needed, submit to the DENR
Site Management Office a report on the
volume and composition of the collected
trash, keep a record maintenance service
of the boat and ensure proper disposal
of garbage as required under Republic
Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste
Management Act.
rake-like device that can scoop up to three
tons of garbage floating at a maximum
depth of three feet. The garbage is dumped
onto the deck, where it is manually
segregated into sorting bins before being
transported to the appropriate disposal
facility. (The Manila Times, September 7,
2014)
The 30-foot long boat worth more than
P1.7 million has a flat bottom for stability
and is designed to be operated in small
waterways. It is equipped with a rotating
The Official Newsletter of the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission
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11
Ilog Natin
Working with the River Warriors in one of the Esteros
By: Lira U. Canals, PRRC
One of PRRC’s major tasks is to clean
esteros, some of which include the Estero
de Paco; Estero de Aviles; Estero de San
Miguel; Estero de Valencia; and Estero de
Sampaloc. River warriors are assigned
in these esteros to clean them. I had the
privilege of working with these River
Warriors in one of the esteros—the Estero
de Sampaloc.
Estero de Sampaloc is a kilometer long
(1,034 meters) minor tributary of the
Pasig River situated in Manila. It starts at
Loyola Street, a block away from España
Boulevard; goes under Lacson Avenue;
passes through Legarda Avenue and JP
Laurel Street and intersects with Estero de
Aviles inside the Malacañang compound.
For six straight days we conducted Waste
Analysis and Characterization Survey
(WACS)—a tool for determining the
average waste composition and generation
of certain areas.
WACS is usually
conducted in residential and commercial
areas by the Local Government Units
(LGUs) as part of their solid waste
management program. WACS has been
adapted by PRRC to enhance its effort
to collect solid waste along esteros in the
metropolis.
meter a day. The wastes collected from
the estero were mostly biodegradable and
residual plastic. The biodegradable wastes
are wood, garden and kitchen waste.
Residual plastic is the type of plastic that
cannot be sold at the junk shop. These
were mostly styrofoam used as crates for
fruits and vegetables and food packaging.
What surprised me was that when we
were done cleaning one area of the
estero in the morning, garbage began to
accumulate in the same afternoon that
day. I began to realize the challenging task
of the River Warriors and I thought that
maybe one way to address the problem
is a continuing and more aggressive
information campaign to take care of our
esteros by not throwing wastes. It is not
a hopeless case. Let us be inspired of our
aspirations to restore and rehabilitate the
Pasig River.
A River Warrior collecting floating garbage at Estero
de Sampaloc at J.P. Laurel Bridge Photo by Lira
Canals, PRRC
To be able to collect garbage from the
estero, we installed garbage traps along
three strategic points between clusters
of barangays—a method that helped us
identify the barangays which contributed
the highest volume of waste.
Our group observed that the average
volume of wastes that were collected from
Estero de Sampaloc is around one cubic
Pile of floating garbage along Estero de Sampaloc at Fajardo Street. Photo by Lira
Canals, PRRC
July - December 2014 | Volume 2 | Issue 3
River warriors sorting garbage collected from Estero de Sampaloc. Photo by Lira
Canals, PRRC
Lessons Learned in
Community-Based Catering
Operations
(as Instruments of Poverty Alleviation)
By: Michael C. Rubio, Kapit Bisig Para sa Ilog Pasig
The
Pasig
River
Rehabilitation
Commission
(PRRC)
End-of-year
Culminating Activity, from the perspective
of the fare served to the participants, was a
hit-and-miss. The snacks were superlative,
but the lunch served left something to be
desired. This is a challenge in operating
a catering business in various stages of
startups.
Primarily through the River Warriors, the
People’s Organization through the efforts
of Kapit Bisig Para sa Ilog Pasig (KBPIP),
various livelihood projects were launched
one of which is “The Community-based
Catering Operations”. This forms part of
the livelihood efforts intended to provide
longer-term economic mobility for
the residents in the project areas of the
tributaries of the Pasig River.
In this project, donations from
organizations like Accenture and the
Global Academy paved the way towards
giving the beneficiary communities to
learn the trade of commercial cooking.
Hence, in 2014, two organizations seized
the opportunity: the first one from the
community of Estero de Paco, all of which
are River Warriors; the second one from
Estero de Santibañez, a new group that
has aspirations of catering to potential
markets within the vicinity of their
estuary.
Despite having provided catered meal
services for several years, the operations
still have a feel of being raw and green.
This is attributed to the fact that if the
members of the various culinary projects
have been provided with training in
food safety, preparation, and service, it
takes more than that to operationalize a
business, let alone a successful one.
One critical factor that is yet to emerge
from these groups is the spirit of
entrepreneurship. They must put into
practice what they have learned. They
must seize opportunities for new markets.
They must learn how to be proactive
and eventually flourish as entrepreneurs
for their hardwork and dedication in
pursuing the goals of the project provided
by the joint efforts of KBPIP and PRRC.
After the result of the PRRC events, both
groups went on with more successes to
cater to various events such as the Office
of the Chairman of the ABS-CBN Lingkod
Kapamilya Foundation’s Christmas Party,
as well as the Lopez Household and Office
Christmas Party, as measured by the
direct feedback of the key stakeholder,
PRRC Chairperson Regina Paz Lopez.
Time will tell whether the lessons from
these events are truly learned, and make
for a more productive and successful 2015.
What happened to SC order
to save Manila Bay?
Six years after the Supreme Court issued
the continued dumping of untreated
wastewater and garbage.
An official of the Manila Bay Coordinating
Office (MBCO) said the bay’s water
quality remained problematic due to
MBCO Executive Director Antonio
Gaerlan noted the still-inadequate
infrastructure for the treatment of
wastewater coming from households and
industrial and commercial establishments.
He said wastewater from 86 percent of the
14 million households served by water
concessionaires is still directly flushed out
into Manila Bay.
a landmark order for 13 government
agencies to rid Manila Bay of trash
and other pollutants, significant results
have yet to be achieved, according to
the government body coordinating the
cleanup efforts.
Ilog Natin
On December 18, 2008, the Supreme Court
issued a writ of continuing mandamus
directing 13 government agencies to clean
up, rehabilitate and eventually preserve
Manila Bay. They were given 10 years to
do it.
But with a lot still to be done in the
rehabilitation process, the Department
of Environment and Natural Resources
(DENR) and other mandated agencies and
partners have revised their Operational
Plan for the Manila Bay Coastal Strategy,
this time giving themselves a 2013-2017
timeline.
The plan addresses the problem of
water pollution, liquid and solid waste
management, informal settlers, habitats
and resources rehabilitation.
As the lead agency tasked with the bay’s
cleanup, the DENR recently launched its
latest campaign to spread awareness of the
bay’s sorry state.
Gaerlan said the campaign, dubbed
“Manila Bayanihan: Para sa Kalinisan”
should unify the efforts made by various
government agencies for Manila Bay.
Campaign logo of Manila Bayanihan: Para sa
Kalikasan. Source: http://themanilabay.denr.gov.ph
The campaign includes the airing of a radio
jingle and a 30-second TV commercial,
as well as the setup of billboards around
Metro Manila and the Central Luzon and
Calabarzon regions.
But Gaerlan conceded that “even if we
put in the effort, we can not see the effect
because the dumping of wastes continues.”
More than 34 million people live within
the basin area but Manila Bay’s problems
affect the rest of the country, he noted.
(Philippine Daily Inquirer, August 2, 2014)
The Official Newsletter of the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission
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Ilog Natin
Liquid Wastewater Management of
Drainage Canal Overflow
By: Engr. Eduardo B. Bornilla, Jr., PRRC
One of the tributaries to drain directly to Pasig River is the Estero
de Sampaloc in Manila. The estero is surrounded by 11 barangays
from Sampaloc up to Sta. Mesa with approximately 1,039 meters
long stretch. Without a natural source of groundwater, a total
volume of 19,900 cubic meters of wastewater can accumulate into
the estero from domestic and industrial wastewater and from
drainage water alone. This article shall explore the contribution
of pollution load from drainage canal overflow.
Street drainage is a water system constructed to remove
stormwater from the traffic lanes. It is composed of both major
and minor drainage system in which, the minor system is
comprised of street inlets and storm sewers, whereas the major
system has street gutters and roadside ditches that operates as
channels to carry the flooding water away (City of Aspen, 2009).
The drainage can be one of the pathways of non-point source
pollutants into the receiving body of water. These non-point
source pollutants are hard to quantify and control due to their
spatial and temporal variability. Among these non-point sources
are the fuel and motor oil from leaking cars; household cleaning
products; improperly disposed paint and paint thinners; paper,
plastic and litters; yard waste and fertilizers; and, animal waste
left from household pets (City of La Verne, 2014).
The quantity and extent of drainage pollution depend on several
factors: the intensity of the last rainfall, land usage (building
density) of the catchment area; level of vegetation cover; the
cleanliness of the street; and, local practices (Environment and
Heritage, 2013). In the case of Estero de Sampaloc, the whole area
is a combination of residential and a commercial establishments
with little street vegetation and a common practice of raising
pets.
Overall, there are 17 stormwater drainage canals identified
by Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) that are
directly draining into Estero de Sampaloc (Figure 1). On a
quarterly basis, these drainage lines are declogged by MMDA for
flood control. Manually, MMDA removes the sludge along the
drainage line using a bamboo pole and a bucket scraper. Most
of the collected sludge is composed of silt/sediment and solid
wastes that accumulated along the drainage canals (Figure 2).
Figure 1. Location of drainage canals identified by MMDA in Estero de Sampaloc (Source: MMDA)
July - December 2014 | Volume 2 | Issue 3
Ilog Natin
The most efficient way to reduce drainage pollution is to prevent
the non-point source pollution from entering the drainage
systems. As there is complexity in handling this type of loading,
pollution control shall then mostly rely on every citizen’s
cooperation. With this, PRRC shall conduct an Information,
Education and Communication (IEC) Campaign to residents
of Sampaloc, Manila to develop social awareness regarding this
issue.
Figure 2. Declogging of drainage line leading to Estero de Sampaloc by MMDA.
In some instances when there is no rainwater to drain, non-point
source pollution still manages to enter the drainage system, (i.e.
pollution shown in Figure 3) due to infiltration of these wastes
thru pipes directly tapped to drainage lines or due to overflow
of sewerage systems. Despite the regular declogging activity, it
is still difficult for MMDA to identify the households that are
tapping to the drainage line thru 2-inch pipes (i.e. protruding
pipe to one of the drainage lines shown in Figure 4).
Part of the IEC Campaign that shall be conducted by PRRC shall
cover the following contents for the presentation:
• what to avoid in drainage disposal;
• how people can help prevent drainage blockage; and,
• how they can help minimize their contribution to drainage pollution.
Residents can help avoid the pollution loading by avoiding the
use of bleach and other disinfectants since these can kill useful
bacteria which are used in the treatment process of septic
tanks and sewage treatment works. Also, it will be helpful to
avoid emptying chemical toilets, solvents, oils and paints into
the drainage system, as these should be stored in their original
containers and disposed of in the correct manner (East Riding of
Yorkshire Council, 2014).
To help prevent drainage blockage, it is advisable not to dispose
plastic bags, ropes, and other synthetic materials; toilet paper/
wipes, sanitary napkin or diapers; and, leftover food, especially
oily and fatty food as they can block the sewer or drainage and
can cause unpleasant odor. Overflow of the sewer system can
lead to infiltration of the sewage to the drainage system (East
Riding of Yorkshire Council, 2014).
Figure 3. Estero pollution thru improperly disposed blue paint to drainage canal in
Sampaloc, Manila.
Overall, residents can help minimize their contribution to
drainage pollution by construction of septic tanks, connection
to Manila Water and Maynilad sewer line, regular desludging of
septic tanks (at most, every 5 years) thru the water concessionaries
and coordinating with their respective Barangay Officials for
closure of outfalls/tapping to drainage.
References:
City of Aspen. 2009. Chapter 4 – Street Drainage System Design. Urban Runoff
Management Plan. Retrieved from http://www.aspenpitkin.com/Portals/0/docs/
City/engineering/stormwater/
Updated%20URMP/08-Chapter%204.pdf last November 10, 2014.
City of La Verne. 2014. Storm Drain Pollution Prevention. Retrieved from http://
www.ci.la-verne.ca.us/index.php/services/environmental-programs/storm-drainpollution-prevention last November 7, 2014.
East Riding of Yorkshire Council. 2014. Pollution – Water and Drainage. Retrieved
from http://www2.eastriding.gov.uk/environment/pollution/water-and-drainage/
last November 7, 2014.
Environment and Heritage. 2013. Stormwater Pollution. Retrieved from http://
www.environment.nsw.gov.au/stormwater/whatcauses.htm last November 10,
2014.
Figure 4. Protruding pipe tapped to one of the drainage lines along Lacson Avenue,
Sampaloc, Manila
The Official Newsletter of the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission
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15
Ilog Natin
EPA and its relevance to PRRC’s
rehabilitation of the Pasig River
By: Jeffrey M. Facunla, PRRC
What is Environmental Preservation Areas (EPA)?
relevant is it to PRRC?
How
Environmental preservation is the strict setting aside of natural
resources to prevent the use or contact by humans or by human
intervention. In terms of policy making this often means setting
aside areas as nature reserves (otherwise known as wildlife
reserves), parks, or other conservation areas. These areas usually
restrict or prohibit activities that may cause damage to habitat
or wildlife.
In a recent development here in the Philippines, the Pasig’s
riverbank easements of 3- to 10-meters wide, have been
declared Environmental Preservation Areas (EPAs). Under the
Implementing Rules and Regulations of Executive Order (EO) 54
as amended by EO 65, a 10-meter wide EPA on both sides of the
river which shall serve as buffer zone between the waters of the
Pasig River and the adjacent urbanized areas. The EPA shall be
constituted from the 3-meter easement mandated under Article
51 of the Water Code of the Philippines and Article 638 of the
Civil Code of the Philippines and the linear park provision under
MMC Zoning Ordinance No. 81-01 in the contiguous area three
to ten meters from the shoreline of the river. This declaration was
pivotal for the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission’s (PRRC)
transforming these EPAs into public parks and esplanades.
PRRC, with the mission to transform the Pasig River and its
environs into a showcase of a new quality of urban life, aims to
develop more easement space into linear parks, walkways and
greenbelt along riverbanks. Though clearing the riverbanks of
structural impediments and transforming them to EPAs is a
gigantic task for PRRC to accomplish, significant efforts towards
fulfilling this presidential mandate have already gained foothold
in the various project undertaken by PRRC.
It has been observed that Government agencies often fail to
July - December 2014 | Volume 2 | Issue 3
implement environmental protection policies mainly because
they lack political support, have insufficient resources, have
underdeveloped institutional capacity, and tend to overlook the
importance of cooperation at the local level.
In an article published by the Asian Development Bank (ADB),
it said the biggest challenge facing the Pasig River’s rehabilitation
is the conflict-riddled process of relocating slum communities
thriving along the riverbanks, which have been a constant source
of pollution.
In the same article quoting Paul van Klaveren, an ADB Water
Supply and Sanitation Specialist, the paper stated “The
establishment of EPAs reduces the pollution load on the river
and is a crucial first step in reviving it”. “Fact is that an estimated
5 million people discharge their wastewater to the Pasig River”.
The article adds that 65% of waste dumped into the river
comes from these households. The establishment of EPAs
meant relocating thousands of squatter households to adequate
resettlement areas and providing them with affordable housing,
livelihood opportunities, and other development support.
What about those land and communities beyond the 3 to
10-meter EPA’s? The same article stated that EPAs were also
declared Urban Renewal Areas (URAs) and were provided
basic municipal services, such as improved water supply and
sanitation, essential infrastructure, and security of tenure.
Indeed, PRRC can seize these EPAs and URAs to fulfill its
mandate in rehabilitating the Pasig River and its tributaries.
Sources:
Implementing Rules and Regulation of EO 54, as amended by EO 65
http://www.adb.org
http://www.tpchd.org
http://www.sunypress.edu
The Price of Progress
Ilog Natin
By: Melchor P. Oderon, PRRC Design Division Head
Aquatic life like fishes, crustaceans, shells, plants from both
fresh and salty waters are the hope of mankind. It is virtually
untapped source of natural food, but it is endangered increasingly
by pollution - the scourge that man has created as inevitable
consequence in his quest for technological progress and his ever
increasing demands for industrial products. This is the “price” of
progress. And, what a price!
Little did we know that because of rapid industrialization, the
once fish-laden rivers and open streams near industrial plants are
no longer supporting aquatic life because of the indiscriminate
discharge of domestic and process wastes. The Pasig River, for
example was teeming with fish in the early parts of the century.
People living along its banks made a living out of fishing. Now,
it has become an almost dead river. The rows of industrial plants
were unmindful of their waste that they discharge into it. And
now people wouldn’t dare to eat fish caught from this river.
The use of insecticides in the farms also endangers aquatic life. It
has been reported that this poisonous substance when sprayed on
plants carelessly is carried down streams through the irrigation
canals or esteros thus, killing the living plants and animals in the
rivers.
implementation on massive scales due to the incredible increase
in the price of mineral oil. Serious studies on the disposal of
nuclear wastes must be undertaken before any nuclear powergenerating plant goes into operation. This will be the most
serious form of pollution. Plans of disposing nuclear waste into
the oceans could really destroy marine life including those that
are being considered for food in the future.
World food experts, scientists and population control authorities
are in unison in saying that even the agricultural productive land
areas of the world are fast becoming inadequate to support the
food requirements of a runaway- world population growth. They
also agree that the only two other sources of food to feed the
hungry millions in the future would be processed and synthetic
organic foods.
Is this the “price” our children and our children’s children must
have to pay for the progress we bring about today? Let’s think
about it.
Today, even leaders of industrial and
developing countries are talking about
nuclear power to run industries in order to
meet economic and development growth
projections. The use of nuclear
power is being seriously
considered for
The Official Newsletter of the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission
16
17
Ilog Natin
TRANSFORMING COMMUNITY
MEMBERS TO BECOME
ENVIRONMENTAL
GUARDIANS
By: Michael C. Rubio, Kapit Bisig Para sa Ilog Pasig
A
s the rehabilitation of the Pasig
River requires a long time, the progress
made in the first tributaries need to be
sustained. Kapit Bisig Para sa Ilog Pasig
(KBPIP) adopted community integration
and poverty alleviation as strategies.
The idea is that if the community owns
the environmental conservation, and if
economic activity directly benefits from
it, then the environment around the
tributaries will be conserved.
Transforming the community behavior
is a long task to complete, but KBPIP
empowered community members to
become environmental guardians, and
then created support structures around
them that allow them to do the work
of maintaining the development in the
tributaries.
Anna Mae R. Isaac is such an example.
She is a River Warrior, part of the second
batch of trainees in 2010. She is a 22-year
old who leads a team of utility service
personnel that maintain the cleanliness of
Paco Public Market; identified as a major
source of waste that impacts Estero de
Paco in Manila.
Anna Mae completed two years of
college, and displayed a high aptitude
for knowledge on how to do the
Save our Rivers | from page 7
• Don’t defrost your frozen food by
running water, try to plan ahead and put
it in the fridge over night or defrost in the
microwave, this will save 150-250 gallons.
• Replace your current showerhead with
a low-flow model. The low-flows use 2.3
gallons of water per minute versus the
old shower heads which use 6. This saves
about 35 gallons of water in a 10 minute
shower, and if you take one every day or
every other day that’s a savings of 6,38812,775 gallons a year.
July - December 2014 | Volume 2 | Issue 3
environmental work in Estero de Paco.
Still a teenager when she joined the
ranks of the River Warriors, within a few
months she was asked to lead a team of
her peers, most of them older adults.
Anna Mae R. Isaac, River Warrior
“Naging mahirap din po,” Anna Mae
said, describing the challenge of having
to lead a team of people much older than
she was. “Yung staff po ang nagpapagalit
sa boss.” But she credits the expertise in
the work they were all trained for as key
to gaining the respect of her team. Nearly
four years later, her team joined her in the
Paco Public Market working out of Prime
Power Manpower Services.
When KBPIP took on rehabilitating Estero
de Paco, it realized that without cleaning
and managing the Paco Public Market,
so much of the work in maintaining
the Estero de Paco will be futile. By
2012 the ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya
Foundation entered into a Management
Contract with the City of Manila, taking
on the administration and rehabilitation
of the Paco Market.
KBPIP constantly attempts to integrate
efforts to keep the waterways clean. It
understood well that the best people to
keep the market clean are those who are
part of its immediate community; that the
best way is to give opportunities to those
who have the most at stake. These are the
River Warriors, KBPIP, and Prime Power’s
leader, Bernardino Caramba understood
that the best way to serve the market is
to train and employ River Warriors: a
committed workforce who have ties with
the community and already have the
discipline of environmental upkeep.
As employees of Prime Power, and as
service professionals, Anna Mae and
others like her don’t stop being River
Warriors. As they grow with new skills
and in life, so does their ability to make
a difference in the effort to rehabilitate
and protect our waterways, in their own
communities and beyond.
• The same thing goes for using a low flow
toilet. Instead of using 6 gallons of water
per flush, the low flow toilets will use 1.6
gallons.
• Make sure to turn off the tap while you
are brushing your teeth in the morning
and at night. This will save up to 8 gallons
of water, which is more than 200 a month!
• Shortening your shower by just 1 to 2
minutes could end up saving you close to
150 gallons a month.
Sources:
http://www.friendsoftheriver.org
http://www.treehugger.com
http://www.eartheasy.com
http://www.monolake.org
http://www.lowes.com
http://simplesapien.com
http://wateruseitwisely.com
http://www.epa.gov
• Turning off the water while you shave
and only filling your sink with a few
inches of water to rinse with will save up
to 300 gallons a month.
(JMFacunla, PRRC)
Ilog Natin
August 16, 2014—Armed with protective gloves and rakes, PRRC
personnel did their share in the ‘Simultaneous Cleanup Drive’ at Barangay
Culiat, Quezon City. Photo by Therese Tanquintic, PRRC
September 9, 2014—Prevention is better than cure. PRRC Executive
Director Ronald Naguit (in dark green shirt) looks on at the ongoing antiflu vaccination activity. Photo by Therese Tanquintic, PRRC
November 6, 2014—PRRC Easement Recovery, Housing Resettlement
Head Ariel Maralit (second from left) and Amy Acebu, PRRC (fourth from
left) together with partner agencies, Mary Gene Agoncillo, PCUP (fifth
from left) and Zenaida Consignado, DPS (right most) during the relocation
of informal settler families (ISFs) of Estero dela Reina, at Barangay 56,
Tondo, Manila to Pandi Bulacan. Photo by Jericho Von Miranda, PRRC
September 4, 2014—The PRRC officials flexing arms and knees during the
ice breaker at the ‘Complete Staff Work Seminar’ at La Breza Hotel. Photo
by Rafael Pascua, PRRC
September 6, 2014—The PRRC team ready to run the extra mile at the
Civil Service Commission (CSC) Race to Serve IV at SM Mall of Asia open
grounds L-R: Heidi Moreno, PRRC Executive Director Ronald Naguit,
Finance and Administrative Director Helen P. Quililan, Environmental
Management Division Head Merliza Bonga, Design Division Head
Melchor Oderon, Eliza Jane Leaño, Lovely Joyce Calayag and Planning
Division Head Reynaldo Ramos. Photo by Rafael Pascua, PRRC
November 11, 2014—PRRC Chair Regina Paz Lopez (in brown) posed
with the Santibañez catering group after the ‘Walkthrough’ at Estero de
Santibañez. Photo by Jericho Von Miranda, PRRC
The Official Newsletter of the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission
Photo Releases
PRRC in ACTION
18
July - December 2014 | Volume 2 | Issue 3