Amid growing concerns over watershed protection and water supply in Central Luzon, the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) joined over 140 volunteers in implementing the Abacan River Sustainable Clean-Up Program as part of activities leading up to World Water Day and in observance of National Water Month.
The program spearheaded by Balibago Waterworks System, Inc. and the Metro Angeles Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (MACCII), is conducted every third Saturday of the month.
BCDA President and CEO Joshua M. Bingcang underscored the agency’s approach of aligning infrastructure development with environmental stewardship.
“At BCDA, we see sustainability as a core responsibility. As we build infrastructure that drives economic growth, we are equally focused on protecting natural systems that sustain our communities. Development must not come at the expense of our water sources,” Bingcang said.
Volunteers waded into the Abacan River in Brgy. Pampang, Angeles City and cleared 158 sacks of waste from a waterway that supports nearby communities and wildlife.
According to Mini Arceo, CSR Manager of Balibago Waterworks System, Inc, water supply has been a challenge in areas of Metro Manila and Central Luzon.
“Ang Abacan River Sustainable Clean-up ay inilunsad natin upang protektahan ang sources ng tubig natin. Dito sa Angeles City, Mabalacat, and City of San Fernando, kasama ito sa mga high risk of losing water… Kailangan po talaga palaguin, pagandahin, paunlarin, ingatan ang ating mga water sources kagaya po ng Abacan River,” she explained. (We launched the Abacan River Sustainable Clean-up to protect our water sources. Here in Angeles City, Mabalacat, and City of San Fernando, it is among the high risk of losing water… We really need to grow, improve, develop, and protect our water sources like the Abacan River.)
The recent return of migratory birds in some parts of the river shows how the continuous clean-up and rehabilitation are helping the ecosystem recover.
This activity marks a step forward in how BCDA is advancing sustainability in Central Luzon and working with communities and partners to tackle environmental issues where it operates.
Beyond clean-up drives, BCDA is also advancing a broader watershed restoration strategy in Central Luzon in support of the Department of Transportation (DOTr).
In connection with the implementation of the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) Calamba Extension Project, the agencies are supporting the planting of approximately 700,000 indigenous tree seedlings across the Sapangbato Watershed in Angeles City and the Sacobia Watershed in Mabalacat City.
The initiative is being implemented by the DOTr, in coordination with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Abacan River and Angeles Watershed Advocacy Council, Inc. (ARAW-ACI) and BCDA.
The large-scale reforestation effort aims to restore forest cover, protect water sources, and mitigate the environmental impact of major infrastructure developments.
Both projects show how BCDA is carrying out its sustainability work through partnerships with local groups, government agencies, and communities, in line with SDG 17.
For BCDA, protecting rivers and greening projects in partnership with communities are critical initiatives on the ground.
These efforts support the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to pursue development that is climate-resilient, sustainable, and environmentally responsible.
