Marcos leads launch of estero cleanup program in Pasig
President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Saturday led the launching of the Bayanihan sa Estero: Malinis na Estero Pamayanan Protektado program at the Ilugin River (Buli Creek) in Barangay Pinagbuhatan, Pasig City.
Under the program, activities such as unclogging Metro Manila's drainage laterals, dredging waterways, removing silt from drainage mains and eliminating accumulated solid waste are included.
The aim is to reduce the impact of floods due to unusually heavy rains. The program is to be implemented in close coordination with national government agencies (NGAs) led by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, local government units (LGUs) and civil society organizations (CSOs).
Twenty-three esteros have been identified to be prioritized in the Bayanihan sa Estero: Malinis na Estero Pamayanan Protektado program, the Presidential Communications Office said. These 23 esteros were observed to have significant siltation, heavy solid waste buildup, poor flow conditions and vulnerability to recurrent flooding.
During the launch on Saturday, Marcos observed the cleanup drive in Buli Creek. Water hyacinths were removed from the pond using a crane on a barge.
Marcos also inspected the mobile recovery facility where water hyacinths by-products such as lily pots and charcoal briquettes and recyclable wastes collected from the river such as hollow blocks and plastic bricks are displayed.
The President also interacted online with volunteers and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority personnel who were conducting a simultaneous cleanup drive at Catmon Creek in Malabon City, Pinagsama Creek in Taguig City, Hagonoy Retarding Pond in Taguig City, and Tapayan Retarding Pond in Taytay, Rizal.
"Currently, there are 273 identified rivers, tributaries, esteros and open canals in the metropolis that serve as primary channels for conveying stormwater and flood runoff across the National Capital Region (NCR)," the PCO said. —KG, GMA Integrated News
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