DENR spearheads World Water Day 2018 celebration

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) will spearhead the local celebration of the World Water Day (WWD) this year, with focus on the role of nature in addressing the biggest water-related problems in the early 21st century.

WWD is observed annually on March 22 to raise awareness about the importance of water and sustainable development. This year’s theme is “Nature for Water,” which emphasizes the potential for nature-based solutions (NbS) to address mounting water-related problems facing the planet.

The DENR, through its River Basin Control Office (RBCO), will kick off the WWD celebration at the La Mesa Nature Reserve in Quezon City on March 15.

Developed by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, the NbS concept promotes nature conservation and development, such as introducing agroforestry and restoring wetlands to improve access to food.

RBCO Executive Director Antonio M. Daño said this year’s celebration aims to “inspire people around the world to learn more about water-related issues, share it to other people, and take action to make a difference, particularly to developing countries.”

As part of the WWD observance, water concessionaire Manila Water Company Inc. will host a five-kilometer “nature walk”—a physical and educational activity— at 8:30 a.m. on March 15 at the La Mesa Nature Reserve.

“Participants will be taught about the reserve’s native trees and birds to gain a deeper appreciation of the value of taking care of ecosystems and protecting the watershed,” Daño said.

On the same day, DENR-National Capital Region (NCR) will host the Lakbay Manila Bay at the La Mesa Arboretum in Quezon City. 

Other activities include Eco Experience in Biak na Bato Nature Park, Bulacan (March 16); World Water Day at Pangil River Eco-Tourism Park, Laguna (March 16-17); Underground River Trail Nature Walk, Palawan (March 18); Summit on Bamboo Plantation and Production at the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) Multipurpose Court (March 20); and Plant for Life Mangrove Planting, Malabon City (March 21).

The highlight of the celebration is the World Water Day Awards, sponsored by Maynilad, LWUA, Laguna Lake Development Authority, DENR-NCR, National Water Resources Board, Environmental Management Bureau, Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission, and Department of Public Works and Highways.

Slated for March 22, the award-giving body will honor individuals, institutions, and programs that made strides in achieving water and water environment sustainability in the Philippines.

Since 2015, a total of 54 “water champions” have been recognized which include leaders of indigenous peoples, community workers, media personalities, local government units and academe based organizations.

The following are the awards to be given out this year: Kampeon ng Lawa; Huwarang Lingkod Tubig; Kampeon ng Katubigan Award; Water-Wise City Award; Water Leadership Award; Huwarang Alagad ng Ilog Pasig; and Water Warrior Award.

The awarding ceremony will be held at Novotel Manila in Cubao, Quezon City at 2 p.m. on March 22. ###

DENR press releases and other news/feature articles are posted at the DENR website: www.denr.gov.ph. For queries/comments, write: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

DENR creates Regional Foreshore Area Task Force in Cebu

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources - Region 7 creates the Regional Foreshore Area Task Force (RFATF) for Mactan Island, Cebu and Panglao Island, Bohol to enforce environmental laws and protect the region’s tourism sites for present and future generations.

DENR Regional Director Gilbert Gonzales said that the two teams will conduct inventory and inspection of all establishments near or within the foreshore areas. The group will come up with an updated list of establishments violating environmental laws, operating without tenurial instruments and building structures outside their property limits. This will include violators of the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 (R.A. 9003) and the Philippine Clean Water Act (RA 9275) .

The RAFTF teams will coordinate with the Environmental Management Bureau- Region 7, and the concerned Local Government Units for the conduct of their operations.

The Regional Foreshore Area Task Force is given a certain period of time to complete the said inventory and to recommend possible issuance of Notice of Violations (NOVs), penalties equivalent to fees they should have been paying on tenurial instrument from the date their operations started or filing of appropriate charges against the offender.

“We do not want the same situation in Boracay to happen in Panglao and Mactan Islands. Together with the local government units and EMB-Region 7, the task force will be monitoring on the establishments’ compliance to environmental laws, rules and regulations” Gonzales emphasized.

Gonzales also said, “Panglao Island in Bohol and Mactan Island in Cebu in Central Visayas are the most frequently visited sites for the tourism industry in the Philippines. I believe that with the coordination of the city and municipal government in the implementation of the environmental laws, the protection and conservation of our natural resources, our environment will allow all people to live well, now and in the future.” ###

DENR press releases and other news/feature articles are posted at the DENR website: www.denr.gov.ph. For queries/comments, write: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

DENR to strictly enforce sewerage connection in Boracay

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said it will force the local government of Malay, Aklan to strictly enforce local legislation requiring residents and businesses in Boracay Island to be connected to the sewerage system.

“The local government of Malay has enacted Ordinance 307 in 2012, which mandates businesses and residents to connect to the sewerage system of Boracay. The law is there. What we want to see is for it to be strictly enforced,” DENR Secretary Roy A. Cimatu said.

The ordinance requires residents and businesses within 61 meters from sewerage pipes to connect to the sewerage system. Those which are located farther from the lines, or for other reasons cannot connect to the system, are required to build and maintain sewerage treatment plants and septic tanks.

Despite the ordinance, Boracay has been hounded with the issue of untreated waste water being dumped into the drainage system of the island, instead of the sewerage system. This untreated waste water, which contains harmful bacteria and other substances, eventually reaches the open waters in and around Boracay.

“Boracay’s sewage is the number one problem in the island, and it requires urgent action from us. We are giving companies not connected to the sewer lines one month to link up. If they fail to do so, they will face sanctions,” Cimatu said.

According to Boracay Island Water Corp., one of the two water concessionaires in Boracay and the operator of the island’s sewerage infrastructure, 195 of its 578 business customers are not connected to the sewer lines. Meanwhile, only 5 percent of their 4,331 residential customers are connected to the sewers.

Customers of the other water provider, Boracay Tubi System Inc., are not connected to the sewer lines, but the company offers to siphon waste water from them into the company’s sewerage treatment plant.

“Companies release a huge volume of waste water, so it is important for us to crack down on them. And we do not know if these 195 establishments are causing problems with the island’s drainage system,” Cimatu said.

“For residents, we will help them connect to the sewers if possible, or provide alternatives for them in cooperation with the water concessionaires,” Cimatu said. ###

DENR press releases and other news/feature articles are posted at the DENR website: www.denr.gov.ph. For queries/comments, write: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.