The recent success of the revival of the Maningning Creek in Taytay, Rizal by the Angat Kabataan ng Taytay has also revived hopes for Cebu’s rivers, as published in an article by Sun.Star. The project came from humble beginnings. “The idea started from four crazy friends who dreamed big for their community,” John Tobit Cruz shared during the Understanding Choices Forum by the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI).
The project involved using covers of electric fans to pick up garbage, removing the grass that had littered the water and throwing “bokashi balls,” mud balls of clay, molasses, and the rice hull which is known as bokashi, and microorganisms. These balls are commonly used in Japan for cleaning ponds. Eventually, their group of volunteers grew as more people from the community started to join them. After 2 years, they had successfully restored the creek to its former beauty.
If others can do it, why can’t we?
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) 7 Ambient Quality Monitoring Section Head Engr. Cindylyn Pepito said they’ve studied 7 bodies of water in Cebu, including 4 rivers namely, Sapangdaku River of Toledo City, Cebu City’s Guadalupe River, Butuanon River in Mandaue City and Lugang River in Carmen. They found that the water sources for these bodies of water were still considered to be good. “Not all of it failed. There are other areas that passed the standards so it is possible for other areas to be revived,” Pepito said.
According to the DENR, local government units aren’t doing enough to clean rivers, as stated in the Manila Bulletin.
Maningning Creek before and after rehabilitation
Photo credits:
Feature photo – Manila Bulletin
Before photo – Ayala Young Leaders
After photo – Rappler
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