𝐂entral 𝐋𝐮𝐳𝐨𝐧 𝐛𝐚𝐠𝐬 𝟑𝐫𝐝 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐄𝐍𝐑 ‘𝐑𝐈𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞’ 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬

 

The 93-kilometer river system traversing San Jose City and the towns of Carranglan, Llanera, and Talavera is the official entry of the DENR in Central Luzon in the search for the cleanest rivers in the entire country.

 

Environment Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga personally awarded Regional Executive Director Ralph Pablo the plaque of recognition and a cash prize worth Php 50,000.

 

The First Place was bestowed to Calao-Delinquente-Diadi River in Santiago City, Isabela wile Malunog River in Pudtol, Apayao named as 2nd Placer.

 

In a statement, Pablo stressed DENR’s collaboration with various stakeholders to implement a science-based approach to river management.

 

“The DENR Central Luzon is committed to restoring and preserving the Upper Talavera River. We have worked with local government units to ensure an approved 10-year solid waste management plan, provide technical assistance to local ordinances and initiatives, establish waste collection systems, and operationalize material recovery facilities,” Pablo said.

 

He added that communities and Estero Rangers have been mobilized to regularly clean the river, resulting in the collection of over 10,000 cubic meters of waste and improved water quality.

 

Aside from raising awareness of the river’s importance, Pablo noted that watershed protection was also prioritized.

 

“We have done reforestation efforts under the National Greening Program, covering 5,596 hectares that involved community participation,” Pablo added, noting that the DENR has likewise upheld the involvement of both men and women in all aspects of the river’s conservation.

 

For his part, Gerundio Fernandez, the provincial head of the DENR in Nueva Ecija, said the Office would remain steadfast in protecting the Upper Talavera River as a sustainable lifeline for communities and the environment.

 

The Upper Talavera River is a vital water source to over 40,000 hectares of farm and forestlands in Nueva Ecija and nearby provinces.

 

It has 505 tributaries from the Sierra Madre and Caraballo mountains that drain to the Pampanga River basin.

 

Entries for the RIVERs for Life Awards were reviewed based on the list of activities and interventions undertaken by the concerned Provincial and Community Environment and Natural Resources Offices on their nominated river.

 

These include: aesthetic water quality improvement, solid waste management, partnership and community mobilization, information and education campaigns, and other activities, interventions, and innovations.