MENRE-BARMM partners with LGUs to protect rivers in Maguindanao

Officials from the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources, and Energy signed a memorandum of agreement with the local government of Parang, Maguindanao on Saturday, July 24, 2021, for the protection and preservation of the town’s Nituan River. (Photo courtesy of MENRE-BARMM) 

COTABATO CITY – The Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources, and Energy (MENRE) on Saturday, July 24, entered into an agreement with the local government unit of Parang, Maguindanao, to protect and preserve the Nituan River.

MENRE’s Chief Environment Management Specialist (EMS) Engr. Amier Ashan Aplal and Senior EMS Mahid Gayak signed the memorandum of agreement with Barangay Chairman Precious Johanney Biruar and Municipal Planning and Development Coordinator May Quesada.

This partnership is in line with MENRE’s implementation of the Adopt-an-Estero program, which is a collaborative undertaking between and among the ministry, communities, donor-partners, LGUs, and other government agencies 

The program aims to clean waste, debris, and silt from the creeks, mobilize the communities for cleanup activities, and prepare and implement plans for the sustainable cleanliness of creeks and other water bodies in the region.

“The objective of this program is to preserve the cleanliness of our rivers, which we hope that the next generation could still witness and benefit from them,” Aplal said. 

“For 2021, our target is to adopt and rehabilitate 20 creeks under the Environmental Regulations and Pollutions Control Program. Per quarter, we urge them to adopt five creeks,” he added.

Since March this year, MENRE has already signed similar agreement with seven stakeholders in the provinces Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur.

These include Agumil Philippines Inc. in Buluan town, and EKA-SALAM Agri-Ventures Corp. in Ampatuan – all in Maguindanao; Bushra Base Command Marketing Cooperative in Butig, Farmers Producer Cooperative in Maguing, Wao Development Corporation in Wao, Kabataang Salam ang Hangarin (KASALAH) Buadipuso Buntong, and Mt. Kalatungan Agri-Ventures Inc. in Amai Manabilang – all in Lanao del Sur. (BANGSAMORO INFORMATION OFFICE, MINDANAO EXPOSE’)