Industry giants have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) on a project dubbed as “Adopt-a-River”, a priority venture under the River Rehabilitation Program of LLDA. The program is geared towards the rehabilitation, protection and conservation of the rivers within the Laguna de Bay region.
Under the terms of agreement, the adoptive party, in coordination with the river councils organized by LLDA, will take a lead role in the river conservation advocacy and help formulate a development and management plan for the river they have chosen to adopt with the end view of generating active participation from barangays, industries, commercial establishments and local government units within the area.
According to LLDA general manager Rod Cabrera , Adopt-a-River involves primarily the development of river segmentation and site assessment, community profiling, information drives and motivation campaigns, establishment of eco-parks and water purification facilities. In coordination with LLDA, the adopters will provide financial and technical assistance to the LGUs and River Councils in realizing this project.
Large companies such as Jeon & Han’s International and Tanduay Distillers Inc. have already signed memorandums with LLDA. J&H has embarked itself on the water purification of Laguna Lake and the dredging of the mouth of its tributaries with Chairman Il-Sung Jeon signing the MOU last February 2011. While Tanduay have pledged for the rehabilitation and conservation of Cabuyao River with chairman Lucio Tan signing the MOA last November 2010.
Just recently, seven corporations have adopted the Teresa River in Rizal. The signing of the MOU was held on 18 April 2011 with the following signatories: LLDA GM Rod Cabrera, Teresa Mayor Rodel N. Dela Cruz, Ricardo Mendoza of Republic Cement Corp., Annie Dee of Teresa Marble Corp., Philip Guong of Cosmos Farm, Geraldine Pasion of CDY Farm, Nolie Semeniano of ABC Phil. Inc. and representatives from Robina Farm and Foremost Farm.
“ The health of the Laguna Lake ultimately depends on the health of each and every tributary, creek, rivulet and stream that flows into the rivers which eventually reach the lake. Through multi-stakeholder and multi-sector involvement such as the case of Adopt-a-River, LLDA’s capacity of ensuring the protection, rehabilitation and development of the Laguna Lake is greatly enhanced ”, GM Cabrera added.
[mappress]
Source: pia, May 16, 2011;